Pengilly vows to repeat world silver success in Whistler

From Sportsbeat Staff, in Whistler

ADAM Pengilly has vowed to prove last year's World Championship silver wasn't just a flash in the pan by medalling at the Winter Olympics.

SILVER SLIDER: Adam Pengilly hopes to repeat his silver medal success from last year's
World Championships when he takes to the Whistler track on Thursday (Getty Images)

The 32-year-old announced himself as one of few genuine Team GB Olympic medal hopefuls last March when he climbed the second step of the podium during the Skeleton World Championships in Lake Placid.

But things have not gone to plan in the 11 months that have followed. He has suffered with knee and hamstring problems as well as a loss of form leading to a below-par season that has left him 18th in the world rankings.

And while Pengilly knows it will take the performance of his life to repeat his Lake Placid heroics on the Whistler track, he also knows this is the Olympics and anything is possible.

"I have had a pretty average season to be honest - I struggled at the start of the year with injuries and missed races and I was just off the pace," said Pengilly, who finished eighth at Turin 2006.

"But gradually things improved so hopefully I can take that into the Games. 

"There may be only four runs at the Olympics but you can definitely start afresh and I think that is one of the beauties of it.

"Obviously having won world silver last year gives me confidence but I think, in any sport, form is a key factor and a big thing.

"The bottom line is I want to perform well in Vancouver and I think if I have four good pushes and four strong runs I will be happy.

"If that means I finish tenth - I hope it will be higher - but if I do that and finish tenth I will hold my hands up and say that is how good I was. If it is good enough for first so be it!"