Kristan Bromley has taken the appliance of science to new levels in pursuit of the only major title missing from his collection.
Anyone who mistakenly dismisses skeleton as sliding on a tea tray clearly hasn't spent any time in the company of the 41-year old, who next week will aim to take a major step towards a fourth Olympic appearance in Sochi.
Sleds cost thousands and Bromley - who designs his own - boasts an attention to detail, in pursuit of decisive fractions of second, that is legendary in his sport.
Bromley, a former world and European champion and two-time World Cup winner, is one of four British sliders going for three World Cup places at the selection trials in Altenberg.
And he's the oldest by 15 years, not that he's looking to slow down quite yet.
“I’ve never seen a men’s field in skeleton as strong as it is at the moment. The sport’s growing and just to hit top six performances is now very difficult," he said.
"But it’s always been tough, there’s been younger guys coming through for the last 15 years and I'm still here.
“However, I think just to qualify for the British team means you’re going to have to get some decent results."
Bromley's Olympic record reads 13th, fifth and sixth and whatever happens in Sochi - which would be his final Games - he likes the idea of travelling to Russia without the burden of expectation.
But he also insists his career will not be defined by his performances at the Games.
“I’m in a nice position, I wouldn't be going to the Olympics as a world champion. I wouldn't be going in with a lot of expectations, so hopefully I can come in under the radar," he added.
"After Turin and Vancouver, I’d certainly relish the opportunity of an Olympics with not much pressure on.
“The year I got it the most right in terms of results was 2008. I won the World Championships, overall World Cup and the European title. That was the first time any guy has done that in our sport’s 100 year history.
“In our sport, between athletes, what we recognise as being the pinnacle is being the overall World Cup winner, that rewards consistency at the highest level.
“So whatever happens this season I have achieved everything I want. I don’t think I could ever cap what happened in 2008, even with an Olympic medal, though an Olympic medal would still be very nice.
“That is what is still driving me on now, it's what defines you as a sports person in this country.
“Who knows what happens after Sochi. It’s probably time to focus on something else, I don’t want to go to the end of my career and just be hanging on."
© Sportsbeat 2013