Sleigh Belle...

Taken from www.worksopguardian.co.uk

To most people hurtling down an icy slope at 130km per hour sounds like a bad dream ? but to Worksop's Kerry Morgan it's a simple training session.
The 22-year-old RAF Physical Training Instructor drives a bobsleigh for Great Britain and is dreaming of Olympic glory in 2010.

A former Worksop Harriers athlete, Kerry joined the RAF in 2004 and two years later swapped her running spikes for a 200-pound, two-woman sled.

She explains: "I got into the sport through athletics, which I've always done since I was little."

"When I joined the RAF I did a Physical Training Instructor course."

"I was doing a lot of short sprints and weight lifting and, while I was training, a couple of bobsleigh coaches spotted me, asked if I wanted to give it a go and in 2006 I trained for the RAF bobsleigh team."

Kerry's ascent to the top level of the sport in the UK has been almost as rapid as her descent from the top of the ice track to the finishing line.

She told the Guardian: "In January this year I was training in Austria, because we don't have a track to train on in the UK."

"The Great Britain coach saw me and suddenly I was competing in the World Cup. It's been a bit of a whirlwind."

Whilst Kerry has spent the majority of her bobsleigh career as a brakewoman, she entered the inter-services competition for the RAF as a driver and won a silver medal.

Her dream is to compete for Great Britain in the next two Winter Olympics.

"I think I've got a very good chance of making the 2010 Olympics," she said.

"I've been braking with World Cup medallist Jackie Davies but this season will be my first as a driver."

"I'm not sure whether I will be looking to drive or brake in 2010, but in 2014 I will be driving."

"It's my dream to race in the Olympics ? it's the pinnacle of sport."

Reaching speeds of 80 miles per hour in a 210-pound fibreglass sled is not without serious risks, and Kerry has already experienced the terror of a high-speed crash.

She said: "I broke my foot in March at the British Championships and I've seen someone's foot ripped off."

"You need to get used to being bashed around and, after my first crash, the only thing I could relate it to was a car accident I was in on the A17."

Kerry admits that her mum Jackie and sister Claire worry about her when she competes, but she has their full backing to pursue her dreams.

"My family can see how passionate I am, so they tell me to take care but they really support me in what I'm doing," she said.

Her employers at RAF Marham are also firmly behind her, supplying a sled and allowing her to train in Austria for major competitions.

But with expenses of up to ?1,000 per week, Kerry needs financial support.

?I?m looking for sponsors in the car circuit because you have to customise your sled to your own size and needs,? she said.

?The British Bobsleigh Association help out, but each athlete has to look after themselves.?

?The main thing I need is a transit van to transport my sled around.?

Between her career in the RAF and her feats on the ice, the former North Notts College student is getting to see more than her fair share of the world.

?This summer I was working out in Basra, Iraq, and I?ve competed in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Germany.?

?The sport is so popular in Europe. Thousands of people turn up and pay to watch and it?s televised weekly.?

Whilst Kerry has one eye on the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, her focus is firmly on November?s British Championships, when she will compete alongside RAF colleague Caroline Gray.

She added: ?Last year I came fourth, but this season I think a top three finish is achieveable.?

If you are interested in sponsoring Kerry in her bid to become an Olympian, contact her at kmorgan85@btinternet.com