SHELLEY Rudman is aiming to add to her trophy cabinet with the only major tournament medal to have eluded her so far when the new skeleton season gets underway.
The Pewsey slider, 31, ended her long wait for the World Cup crown in a memorable campaign last season.
But in February’s World Championships in Lake Placid, she slipped off the podium positions on the final day of competition and had to settle for fourth.
The 2006 Olympic silver medallist, who already has two European Championship gold medals, is determined to add the missing piece to her collection at this season’s competition in St Moritz, Switzerland, next February.
“I was trying for four years (to win the World Cup) and for three years in a row, I came second,’’ Rudman told the Gazette and Herald.
“Something always happened so that I couldn’t challenge strongly, whether it was illness, an injury or my kit had been damaged. It was really annoying.
“This year, I injured my back and thought ‘oh no, I’ve done it again’ but luckily I managed to hold on.
“I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped in the World Championships so they’re the main focus this year. It’s the only medal I’ve not got so I’d like to get there in good shape and do as well as I can.”
Rudman departs for pre-season testing in mid-October before the skeleton season begins in early November.
More from Shelley Rudman in next week’s Gazette & Herald
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