4 Man - First 2 Laufs, 17th at the half-way mark

(Daily Reports courtesy of The Winter Sports Agency)

Today was the first day of the 4-Man race.

The lads had a team meeting at 10am before all going to breakfast. Then the rest of the morning was spent relaxing in their rooms and sorting our kit out for the race later in the day.

At 12 noon Shiner and Karl went for a jog and stretch under the instruction of Paul Ireland the performance coach.

Then there was time for a leisurely lunch before heading to the track at 3 pm.

They organised the sled and took it to the top where Pete Gunn and Marcus were left to guard it.

Tom walked the track with Lee and then turned his attention to the runners for the race.

Drawn number 13, the crew was soon warming up ready for the first lauf.

As the sleds went down the track and their big moment drew ever closer, Shiner and Karl tried to contain their nerves by imagining that it was another World Cup race.

Then onto the blocks, mental preparing themselves, with Paul and Tom winding them up. And then they were off.

The start was a 4.85 and that was good for this crew (16th=), but the drive was not the best and it reflected in the down time (17th=).

After escorting the sled back to the top they cleaned the runners ready for the next run.

Then Shiner and Karl went outside and did some strides before the next lauf ? this time a 4.86 start (15th=). The run felt better (15th) but far from their best according to Lee. On neither did they get above 130.5kmh.

At the bottom, friends and family were there, screaming and shouting and waving flags. It was a moment they will never forget.

But they are already focused on tomorrow ? determined to ?scalp? some of those ahead of them.

We?ll all be watching.