Harriers’ Kelly joins the GB bobsleigh team

Denyer, 20, from Worthing, is now part of the GB Bobsleigh team and sampled the Cresta Run jets to Park City in Utah, America, to contest the World Junior Championships.

But it has been a rollercoaster of a ride for Sussex’s top 60m sprinter. Having attended a talent ID day in Bath in September, she was fast-tracked to ice training in Latvia, followed by selection to the full GB1 team to compete in the World Cup in North America and Europe, but an accident on the training track looked to have scuppered her season before it began with a ruptured PCL of the knee and a bone shin injury.

However, intensive rehab at the British Olympic institute at Bisham Abbey avoided the need of an operation and has meant Denyer is able to take part in the final part of the season.

She is currently reserve brakewoman in the World Junior Championships in America as the squad build toward the next Winter Olympics in Russia in 2014.

On getting into the sport, she said: “I got into bobsleigh by chance really. My coach Alan Denyer received an e-mail advertising try-out for bobsleigh.

“I sent an e-mail, saying my times, and they wanted me to come and try out. I didn’t really think anything would come of it, it was just for fun really.

“I went along to the try-out day and they asked me to go to Latvia the following weekend to try out on ice.

“During that weekend, I was given a place as one of the brakewoman for the World Cup competitions.

“Unfortunately, a week later on the Bath push track, I injured myself and tore my PCL ligament, which has prevented me from competing up to just over a week ago at St Moritz.

“It’s a hard sport and there is a lot to learn but I’m enjoying every second of it. Racing is an amazing buzz.”

On her aims for the future, Kelly Denyer said: “My main aim would be to get to the Sochi 2014 Olympics.

“I’d also love to learn to drive when I have more experience.”

Despite getting into bobsleighing, Denyer has no plans to give up her running and said: “Once my my knee is stronger, I plan to get back into training to compete this summer.

“I would never be able to give up my running.”