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Ice-man Patrick Singleton is gearing up for another shot at the Winter Olympics.

The three-time Olympian was in Lake Placid, New York, this week to complete the required number of races to compete on the qualifying circuit next winter.

"Essentially I'm trying to qualify for the qualifiers," said skeleton competitor Singleton from his training camp yesterday, where he is enjoying warmer temperatures than wintry Bermuda.

Singleton went through a series of test runs on the refrigerated ice track this week and will compete in two races next week.

After a series of good results this winter he only needs to finish next week's races to secure his position on the Intercontinental Cup tour for next year.

After that the hard work starts.

The qualifying criteria has changed and Singleton would need to be ranked in the top 50 in the world after the eight-race series from November to January.

The world rankings are averaged out from points in the Intercontinental and World Cup series, with slightly more prestige gained for good results on the World Cup.

Singleton estimates that a top 15-20 spot in the Intercontinental Cup would be enough to get him to Vancouver.

"It's one of the toughest events to qualify for. There's no B Standard, there's no wildcards, you have to be consistently among the best in the world."

Singleton took a break from the sport after the last Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

But after spending some time working with Britain's top juniors in Italy this winter and competing in a few races in Europe he decided to think about having another shot at Olympic qualification. If he makes it to Vancouver he will become only the third Bermudian, after sailor Peter Bromby and triple jumper Brian Wellman, to compete in four Olympics.

"I was working with the British juniors and a friend of mine on the British team - Adam Pengelly who finished second in the World Championships - persuaded me to do a few races. I did the first Olympic test event in Italy in January and I was pretty fast, so I started to think about trying for Vancouver."

Singleton actually competed against and beat Pengelly in a World Championship qualifying event in St. Moritz, which he won, but was unable to compete in the championships after injuring his foot.

"I had a friction burn on the ice which burned through my shoe and went through the skin. It took a long time to heal."

If Singleton successfully comes through next week's races he will be eligible to take part in Olympic testing in Vancouver in Whistler in October next year.

"That's the most important thing. It's the last chance to look at the track before the games and if I want to go fast in Whistler I need to be there."

Singleton hopes to spend the summer in Europe training with the British squad before competing on the Intercontinental Cup circuit next winter.

And, if he can get the funding and the right training programme in place, he believes he could be capable of his best result yet at the Olympics.

"Skeleton is an experienced based sport. The longer you do it, the better you get.

"The world champion is 41.

"I watched my good friend (Pengelly) come out second in the World Championships, having beaten him the week before, so I think I could do well."

Singleton added that he was pleased to see cross-country skier Tucker Murphy had qualified for the games and looked forward to being part of a Bermuda 'team' for the first time.

"I was very excited to see he had qualified. It would be nice to have a team mate in Whistler. It looks like he's done his bit so now it's down to me."[[In-content Ad]]

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