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Shelley Rudman knows that she is not guaranteed to be selected for the British team despite finishing runner-up in the World Cup series for the past three seasons.
With the British team selection races fast approaching, Rudman cannot afford to believe she is an automatic selection with five competitors all vying for one spot at the Word Cup series.
“It doesn’t matter what you have done in the past, everyone starts afresh for the new season," Rudman told thisiswiltshire.co.uk. “My goal is to get back into the World Cup series, which I’ve been second in for the last three seasons.
“All of the (British) girls coming through are strong and fast starters so you can never take for granted that you will get back on to the circuit. If you make it on to there, then you can look forward."
The group of five also contains Amy Williams, the 2010 Olympic gold medallist, but Rudman says her work with strength and conditioning coach Mark Campbell has been the best she has ever had.
“It has been really successful and everything has gone to plan – but you never can tell until you get back on the ice," said Rudman. “We’ve worked on a couple of things and Mark has been outstanding.
“We’ve also been down to Bath (university) more regularly to work on starts this time."
Rudman finished sixth at the Vancouver Games and lost some of her funding but she is hopeful that she can once again find a sponsor, despite the focus being on London 2012.
"I’m still trying to hook up with a sponsor, which is quite important but obviously, London 2012 is the focus for a lot of people at the moment.
“All of our flights are covered by the national governing body, but sponsorship helps with extra training and other costs during the season like a 4x4 vehicle, insurer, groceries, tools and cash."
