Murray buoyant ahead of skeleton World Cup debut

The 30-year-old former long jumper, who has only 21 race appearances under her belt, narrowly missed out on the title in 2017, but showed her grit to secure the prize at her home track.

Now the Isle of Wight raised athlete is relishing the challenge of competing at the highest level for the first time in her career as she next takes to the ice at the World Cup in Sigulda.

"I'm excited for what's to come over the next few weeks," said Murray.

"It's been a consistent start to the season for me with a fourth, second and first in three races and I'm feeling confident going into my first World Cup campaign now.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of the World Cup in Sigulda and then back in Winterberg the following week.

"I know it will be a step up in class but it's where I want to be and I plan to make the most of the opportunity."

Murray, who made her debut in 2016 at Lake Placid, got her first taste of success with a bronze medal in Altenberg in 2017.

And the feeling of having a medal wrapped round her neck is a sensation Murray is aiming to replicate plenty more times this season after making a bright start to her campaign.

"It's been a while in the making but was worth the wait. To see the Union Jack raised for me was a really special moment and one I will never forget," Murray said after her maiden gold medal in Germany.

"When I won silver in Igls the week before, I said to myself that I wanted to go one better in Winterberg and I'm delighted I was able to do that.

"It's been great to have had a few consistent weeks of sliding, making the podium at each race. Winning silver in Igls gave me confidence that I could challenge for the podium again in Winterberg. I'm delighted I was able to upgrade to a gold.

"The whole team performed incredibly once again. It's been a great start to the season and I'm proud of the whole team."

Sportsbeat 2018