Small speeds up in pursuit of PyeongChang

Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au

It might have been a tough couple of years for Alpine speedster Greta Small but the 22-year-old is ready to put it all behind her as she begins her run towards PyeongChang this weekend.

Small was one of the stories of the Sochi 2014 Games when she lined up in all five alpine events and claimed one of the nation’s best ever results when she finished 15th in the Super Combined at just 18.

It’s been a rugged run since Sochi, with the past two winter seasons being cruelled by injuries that have kept her off the snow for extended periods.

The latest of those saw Small rupture her ACL at the start of 2017 but now almost 12 months later she will hit the start gate for her first competition back.

“This weekend is my first races back racing two Downhills and a Super G World Cup in Lake Louise, Canada,” Small said.

“Since it is still early on and I haven’t spent much time on snow during the past year of rehab, I’ll really be using this week in Lake Louise as training to build on for the race season.”

Small spent a number of months at the Australian Institute of Sport rehabbing her injury before getting back on snow in September.

After some time on the slopes in Australia, New Zealand and Austria she is confident she is ready to hit the snow as PyeongChang 2018 edges closer.

“My body is in good shape and I just need to focus on my skiing execution now.

“I’m really excited and happy to be back amongst the tour and trying to go fast.”

Small made her Olympic debut in Sochi where she was the youngest, if not close to the youngest, in each of the Downhill, Super G, Super Combined, Slalom and Giant Slalom events she lined up in.

Along with her 15th in the Super Combined, she claimed 29th in the Downhill, 31st in the Slalom, 41st in the Giant Slalom and a DNF in the Super G.