By Will Golder and Kevan Crowell Jersey bobsleigh team

Golder and brakeman Crowell share their thoughts from St Moritz

DAY 2 - First day of training

Will's version

The day started later than scheduled for the rest of the week with a 0630 (local time) wake up and 0700 breakfast.

We didn't start training until 1200, but before any of that could happen I had to walk the track for the first time with team coach Sean Olsson to try and learn the corners and steering points.

With this being possibly the fastest track I will drive I was apprehensive to say the least. After two hours on the track walking every section I was going to be driving later, I finally got to the top where Kevan and Colin were with the sled.

We didn't crash but showed the left hand wall on exiting we meant business. The other slight problem on the first run was 'Martinaeu' a corner at the very bottom of the track where you will be reaching speeds of 140 kmph. Will Golder

A few slight adjustments to my seat position gave me an extra couple of inches in the front, and an all round better driving position.

We were in the middle of the pack in the training session which gave us a little more time to prepare. After putting the training runners on we were finally ready.

The first run was always going to be an eye opener as I normally get to see the track a full day before our first run, but this time I only had a couple of hours.

It was as good as could have been hoped as we made it to the bottom with problems only at two corners.

The notorious 'Horseshoe' is a very fast sharp 180 degree corner that is the main focus point for all television cameras and media attention - we didn't crash but showed the left hand wall on exiting we meant business.

The other slight problem on the first run was 'Martinaeu' a corner at the very bottom of the track where you will be reach speeds of 140 kph (approx 85mph). A slight over steer at the exit of the corner caused us to hit the wall on the left side.

The second run showed me the true meaning of this natural track.

Unlike the man-made tracks this track creates an almost silent ride down due to the ice being over one metre thick instead of just a few inches.

The second run was very smooth all the way down with another hit at the exit of 'Horseshoe', other than that I was very happy as the track seemed to flow really nicely and I felt comfortable at the high speeds.

Tomorrow we plan to step up the pace by polishing our training runners for one run, and then changing to our race runners for the second run to again increase our speed.

Kev's Version

Practice days are traditionally long affairs, up at half six and at the track for eight.

It's at this point Will and I stop holding hands and we do our own thing.

With the huge speed and tricky corners even the brakeman will walk the track but after that the driver vanishes off the face the earth and the hard work begins.

Bobs and kit are loaded out to the top of the track, runners are fitted, bob prepped and checked.

The driver did make one brief appearance to order that his seat be moved further back, in essence that means less room for the brakeman to the extent I might as well find myself a trailer and sit in that.

It was a successful day, of course no day is complete without a couple of stinging bruises and a headache but we have settled into the GB group well and looking forward to the forthcoming days. Kevan Crowell

I'll admit it, I was nervous, very very nervous, nigh on quickest track in the world, among international athletes, from the top and behind Will on a virgin track.

This is no reflection on Will, this is a tough track and while in normal circumstances I wouldn't usually say, but blogs are designed to be factual and honest, Will's drive, bar the exit of 'Horseshoe' and 'Martineau', was close to faultless.

'Horseshoe' is a tricky 180 degree corner half way down the track and is notoriously difficult and frequently crashed.

On both runs we used the counter wall to stay upright.

The second time around, so heavy and disorientating was the impact that Will had assumed crash position (tucked under the cowling). This is not an ideal situation as brakeman to find your driver in, tucked away behind his seat.

In the following seconds while I removed counter wall from my teeth Will had returned to his seated position and had safely negotiated Telephone and Shamrock.

It was a successful day. Of course no day is complete without a couple of stinging bruises and a headache but we have settled into the GB group well and looking forward to the forthcoming days.

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