Hero’s return for Melksham Olympian

OLYMPIC bronze medalist, Laura Deas, was given a hero’s welcome last week when she returned home to Melksham after making history in Pyeongchang.

The skeleton racer was met by Mayor, cllr Adrienne Westbrook and town crier Peter Dauncey in the Market Place to celebrate her win, which helped make this year’s Winter Olympics the most successful ever for Team GB.

Melksham News caught up with Laura afterwards to reflect on her Olympic experience.

Firstly, congratulations! How does it feel to be part of British sporting history?

“Quite amazing! If you had told me before I left that I would not only win a medal, but be part of a ‘Super Saturday’, I would not have believed you.

“I always believed that I could win a medal, but to get one, to share the podium with Lizzy (Yarnold), and to have people watching me back at home, it’s so special, it’s so bizarre!”

What was it like waiting to find out if you were going to win a medal?

“It was incredibly stressful, someone had to mess up for me to win a medal, which is a shame, but that’s the nature of skeleton. Consistency was key; in the changing rooms before the final round I told myself to be consistent. With it being the Olympic final, there was an intense amount of pressure, so someone was bound to make a mistake.

“The wait was very difficult, I was so nervous. When Janine Flock was halfway down the track and fumbled, I started to think that maybe this could be it. But I had to wait for her to cross the line. Anything could happen on that track and there was a chance she could have made up the difference on the home straight. So it was a massive surprise to win a bronze.

“Whilst it was nerve-wracking living in the moment, I’m pleased that there was so much drama on the day, it sticks in people’s minds. It wouldn’t have been as memorable to have us out in the lead, miles ahead. Having Lizzy and me go up and down the leaderboard each round was much more exciting, but it was nerve-wracking!”

It was your first Olympics and you won a medal, how does that feel?

“It was great! They say you are more likely to win a medal at your second Olympic Games, but that hasn’t been the case for the GB skeleton team, who have been winning at their first Games.

“I’m an experienced slider, I knew that I had to give it my all and leave nothing on the table in the hope of bringing a medal home.”

Were you aware of the reaction to your success here in the UK?

“I logged out of all social media for race week, so I had a limited idea what was going on back at home. It was only from people telling me that I knew that people were really getting into the sport and following it on TV. When I landed and got home, it started to dawn on me the impact of what we had achieved. I’ve been stopped in the street for photos, kids have been sending me photos and videos of them sledging in the snow. The wave of support has been fantastic.

“Skeleton might be a niche sport and some people might question the amount of funding that it receives, but that doesn’t matter as long as you are inspiring the next generation, engaging people with the sport and encouraging people, kids, to get out there and try a new sport.”

How does it feel to be back home in Melksham?

“It’s lovely to get back home, unpack and chill. And now the weather is starting to get warmer, I’m looking forward to getting outside and doing some gardening, that’s what I love doing.”

There has been huge support for you here in Melksham, do you have a message for community?

“I want to say a massive thank you for all the support from the community, friends and neighbours. There have been so many cards put through my door congratulating me. Melksham is a nice place to live and I am proud to have put Melksham on the sporting map!”

What’s next? Do you think you’ll compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing?

“I feel good, motivated to carry on. It’s four years away, so a big chunk of life, so who knows, but right now I am keen. My next goal is the World Championships, and there are three of those between now and the next Olympics.

“A medal at a World Championships would be fantastic. I will probably take things one year at a time. There are lots of young and up and coming talent who want to be the next big thing, pushing me. I’m excited to see what they can achieve.”

Finally, what are you going to do with your medal?

“I want to display my medal and for it to be accessible so I can take it to schools and show it to kids.

“But honestly, it’s probably going to end up shoved in my sock drawer – I think that’s what happens to most medals!”