Chemmy Alcott, Britain's best known skier since Graham Bell, is finally back on the slopes having trained in Kaprun over the last week. This is the first time Alcott has stepped into skis since breaking her leg in a crash during pre-season training nearly two years ago.
Having taken to Kaprun's slopes to begin her training for the up and coming 2012/13 season, Alcott has set her sights on a podium finish during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Her right leg was in great shape following extensive rehabilitation, where she enlisted the help of The Third Space gym and medical centre, as well as training for her appearance of ITV's popular Dancing on Ice.
Chemmy may have been off the slopes for the past two seasons, but she has kept her profile up and her fans happy by appearing in last year's Dancing On Ice, as well as interviewing the likes of Lindsey Vonn for the BBC's Ski Sunday.
Alcott will train with the Canadian Ski Team from September, due to losing her financial support from British Ski & Snowboard. Dougie Crawford and TJ Baldwin, Britain's top male downhill specialists have also lost their funding in favour of freestyle skiing — UK Sport announced in March £385,000 of funding for British Ski and Snowboarding, much of which is being spent on supporting freestyle athletes.
Chemmy is currently rallying her friends, family and sponsors to find the £75,000 shortfall in funding, but is determined to compete in both the World Cup Tour and World Championships in Schladming, Austria, for the first time since 2010.
Chemmy said: "I’m over the moon to be back on my skis. My leg feels great and I’m confident about the season ahead. I’m obviously devastated that BSS has pulled much-needed funding from me, Dougie [Crawford] and TJ [Baldwin], but I won’t let that stop my comeback. Getting a podium finish in Sochi is still my focus."
Chemmy has returned to London to participate in the Olympic celebrations and is expected to carry the Olympic torch though Ealing on 25th July, after being nominated to carry the torch by her fellow teammates from the British Ski Team.