As the Sochi 2014 Olympics draw ever closer freestyle skier Murray Buchan is playing a selection waiting game – but he insists he is doing all he can to make the Team GB plane in February.
Buchan enjoyed a fantastic March – storming to the men’s halfpipe title at the British Championships shortly after finishing a career best 18th at the World Championships to signal his Sochi intent.
And now, after a summer of training, the 21-year-old is targeting three World Cups either side of Christmas as a chance to catch British selectors eyes before decisions are made on January 20.
He has already met the qualifying criteria, effectively two top-20 World Cup finishes, but Buchan isn’t resting on his laurels as he knows he must hit peak form in time for the Games.
“I’ve got a good chance but nothing’s decided,” said Buchan. “The selectors make their picks in January as they don’t want to send someone who is out of form.
“That way they have the best chance to medal. It’s a weight off your shoulders because you don’t need to reach any targets in particular now, just go out and try to impress.
“The aim for me in the World Cups is wanting to prove I’m the man who should be sent. I’ve been doing everything I can to prepare.
“I have been training six times a week, two or three times a day, trampolining, running, cycling, weights and anything else I can do.
“The way I’m looking at it is that I was 18th at the World Championships and I’ve got a run that should be better than at least ten of those who beat me.
“All the others are working on new routines too so I’m trying to perfect mine as much as possible.
“It would be a massive achievement and a big goal of mine but it’s not the reason why I’m in the sport, I love doing what I do.”
Buchan placed 22nd in the halfpipe at the World Cup opener in New Zealand back in August with the next port of call on the circuit Copper Mountain in America in December.
And Buchan insists he is ready to attack the winter with fresh vigour after managing to squeeze in some rest and relaxation amid his heavy workload.
“It’s been quite hard work actually,” he said. “I had three weeks off in July and after that it’s been pretty hectic.
“I went to California, then Canada, then a bit of a break because it was getting tiring and starting to have negative effects.
“Then I went to New Zealand which I definitely got big gains from. I wasn’t at the end of my tether but my body was starting to get tight so a bit of time to recover and to come back fresh has given me that motivation again.”
© Sportsbeat 2013