With more than three years to go until Pyeongchang’s Winter Olympics freestyle skier Peter Speight says he is going to take things one step at a time.
Speight went under the knife in May to repair a snapped anterior cruciate ligament and has had a summer filled with rehabilitation.
But he is close to a return to the snow and is hoping to pick up where he left off before his injury.
And, with the momentum of Sochi still reverberating into the winter season, the British halfpipe team member believes he has the chance to really develop as an athlete.
“I’m not too worried, three and a half years is a long time. I’m aware that I’m at the start of the four year cycle now which is motivation not to rush back,” he said.
“Over this last year, with the injury I’ve had, you can still progress and develop as an athlete on the mental side of it.
“Last year in total I had a really good season. From the start of 2013 to the end of 2013 I had my best and most progressive year.
“I stepped things up from being quite good, making a few top 30s to making finals and the British team. “
With a training camp in Breckenridge planned for December and the Park City Grand Prix in Utah in February, the season is about to get a lot busier for Speight.
But he insists there is nothing worse than missing out on doing the thing you love.
“I’m very nearly fit now so I’m close to being back on snow. I picked it up when I was just on a normal training day skiing, on one of my tricks I fell and twisted awkwardly and unfortunately it was the ACL that went,” he added.
“It is hard when you are injured, I’m not going to lie. It is a tough mental game.
“You know it’s not the end of the world but at the same time your whole life is taken away from you for a certain amount of months until you are better.
“It is tough, you’ve got to be focused, determined and patient. At least it was on the end of the season so not too bad.”
© Sportsbeat 2014