Features News Sports

Lizzy Yarnold puts the finishing touches to her Winter Olympics preparation

Lizzy Yarnold has the weight of a nation on her shoulders as Team GB’s biggest chance of a medal at next month’s Winter Olympics.

The global event kicks off in Pyeongchang, South Korea on February 9th and Yarnold will be looking to replicate the gold medal she won in Sochi back in 2014.

Yarnold, who is a former student at the University of Gloucestershire, heads into the games after a mixed season. Currently sitting 10th in the Skeleton World Championships ahead of the final race in Konigssee, Germany starting on the 19th of January.

Yarnold finished 9th in St. Moritz, Switzerland but was still 1.20 seconds behind Austrian, Janine Flock.

It has been a difficult year for Yarnold. In September of 2017, she was diagnosed with a vestibular disorder more commonly known as Dizzy Spells. She said the problem, which she has suffered from for several years, can affect her at any time.

“I’ve seen the best specialist and my team knows what’s going on and how to recover, I absolutely have the will to compete in every race regardless of those issues.”

She said the condition does not pose a threat to her career, despite racers reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.

“The condition I have is more like a travel sickness, when I’m going down the track sometimes I can get disorientated.”

Yarnold heads to Pyeongchang in a good place emotionally, something she puts down to taking a break from the sport after Sochi.

“I hate cliches about being four years older and more experienced,” said Yarnold.

“But I understand myself a lot more now. Physically I’m a bit faster and stronger than before Sochi. But mentally is the biggest difference. I know what makes me tick”.