Winter Olympics: Corcoran defies pain to chase Games dream

Skeleton racer Louise Corcoran will shrug off the pain of a trampolining accident months ago to compete at the Winter Olympics in Turin tomorrow (6am NZ time).

Ever since the accident last year Corcoran, 25, has been troubled by pain in her shoulders. She intends having corrective surgery once she returns to New Zealand. But in the meantime, there is the business of the Olympics.

"You know what they say -- no pain, no gain," said Corcoran, who was in a positive mood on the eve of her Olympic debut.

"It's not affecting my sliding, and that's the main thing."

She was pleased with how her practice has gone this week at the Cesana Pariol venue.

"The first one was a bit hairy and scary, but in the second one I felt in complete control. It's an extremely fast track, which I like, and there are a few things in there to get the heart racing."

Corcoran, 26, is being coached at the Olympic Games by Kelly Moffat, another of the small contingent of New Zealand skeleton racers competing on the world circuit.

"Kelly has been a godsend," she said.

"It would be ridiculous to come to the Olympics and not have a coach. She's been with me on this journey for the past four years and it has been reassuring having her here this week."

Ben Sandford of Rotorua, New Zealand's entry in the men's skeleton, competes the day after Corcoran.

- NZPA