KATHRYN’S READY FOR FREEZE FAME
Irvine ice queen itching to race in front of fans who worship speed skaters
IN South Korea they treat speed skaters like rock stars. And Kathryn Thomson can’t wait to get on to the Olympic stage to take a bow.
But the ice queen from Irvine is desperate to hit the high notes rather than fall flat on her face when she makes her Games debut in Pyeongchang today.
Fellow Scot Elise Christie has been bombarded with teddy bears and flowers in the past when the short track-draft locals have roared her on.
And her 22-year-old team-mate Thomson said: “If it’s atmosphere you want, there’s nowhere better to be. I went to the test event and the crowds were amazing. They made me go all tingly and almost distracted me from what I was trying to do.
“But I feel I’ve got more experience now and hopefully it won’t affect me this time.
“However, I can’t wait for all the support. It makes you want to be part of something big.”
It’s the 500 metres up first for the duo – and British running mate Charlotte Gilmartin – with Christie a red-hot tip for gold.
They both took the gamble in their teens to head south for Nottingham so they’d have the best chance possible to make a splash. And Thomson admits working every day beside the triple world champion has been a big help.
She said: “We’re not a team sport as such because we don’t compete together unless we’re in the relay. But when you see a member of your team winning, it really boosts morale.
“It’s super inspirational and it gives me so much confidence in our training programme.”
They’ll need to keep their cool. Keep their feet. Christie found out four years ago glory can turn to disaster in the blink of an eye.
But Thomson reckons that’s what will have the Koreans – and everyone else – hooked.
She said: “You need to make sure you’re in the right position. It’s just full of unpredictable madness.
“But that’s the thrill. You can put the fastest, fittest strongest skater on the ice and they could get outwitted by someone smarter.”