GILLINGS UPBEAT ON RETURN FROM VANCOUVER

Zoe Gillings, Britains No 1 Snow sports athlete today returned from the Winter Olympics in Vancouver where she finished in a solid 8^th place in the Snowboard cross event, securing the highest finish of all British snow sports athletes.  After two qualification runs Zoe went into the heats after qualifying in 8^th place.  Zoe came 2^nd in her heat  ensuring her place in the semi finals of the Olympic Games (final 8).  However bad luck was soon to strike as Zoe sustained a painful knee injury 20 seconds before the finish line in the semi final which saw her lucky to complete the race. Zoe finished that heat in 3^rd place which saw her then go into the small final to fight for places 5-8.  With the knee injury firmly gripping Zoe and in order to guarantee at least an 8^th place finish, Zoe pulled out of the gate in the small final and immediately stopped agonisingly watching the girls in front of her fight for the final 5 to 7 placings.

 

 

 

Zoe commented on the race, “I was doing all I could in the semi final to catch the girls in front and in doing so over shot one of the jumps and felt something go in my knee, after that I could hardly bend my knee so just tried making it across the finish line in the hope someone might fall in front of me. It was really painful but I think the adrenaline took over.  Then reality set in and I realised I wouldn’t be able to race for places 5 to 8 so I started in the small final but stopped straight away as it was the only way to ensure an 8^th place finish at the very least.”

 

An MRI scan after the competition revealed tendon damage in Zoes knee whereby she is currently on crutches for the next 3 weeks but there isn’t thought to be any long term damage.  Zoe continued, “I want to ensure I fully recover from this injury as I know so many people who have repetitive knee injuries throughout their career, I should be ok in three or four weeks but I’m not taking any chances.”

 

Following the turbulent previous 12 months of Zoes governing body, SnowpsortGB, which went into administration one week before the Olympics, Zoe commented, “I have learnt a great deal from the past 12 months and will not let it happen again, Im making absolutely no excuses as I did what I could with what I had available and in that im happy with 8^th place.  It will make me stronger and more determined to become the best.  Im leaving here now with one goal in mind, to become the best in the World over the next four years with a World Class program to match.  The British Olympic Association have been awesome in helping me prepare for these Olympics and im really looking forward to working with them towards Soochi (Russia).  It will be a welcome change working with a truly professional body such as British Ski and Snowboard (BSS) who have now taken over as my new governing body and I have 100% confidence in them.  Im now more determined than ever”

 

Zoe is now heading to the Portes Du Soleil, France, where she will take some much needed rest and relaxation as well as physiotherapy allowing her knee to fully recover.