0:00:06 > 0:00:07The Winter Olympics have begun
0:00:07 > 0:00:10and the Winter Paralympics are just around the corner.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14And to celebrate both awesome Games, we have come here,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17to the gorgeous Swiss Alps in Switzerland.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20On today's show, we've got a lot of speed, a lot of ice,
0:00:20 > 0:00:22and a whole lot of snow.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Who said they could do...? Start the show!
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Hello, and welcome to Blue Peter.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Now, first things first, when you are in this gorgeous location,
0:00:49 > 0:00:51with one of my favourite sporting events
0:00:51 > 0:00:53in the entire world happening,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56there's one thing to do. A Swiss happy dance. Hey!
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Now, I'm not going to lie to you,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00that was quite difficult in the snow.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02But I'm also absolutely pumped about the Winter Games
0:01:02 > 0:01:04because of the calibre of the Team GB athletes.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06The likes of Elise Christie
0:01:06 > 0:01:09and Lizzy Yarnold are unbelievable talents.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12All the athletes will be looking to get themselves onto the podium
0:01:12 > 0:01:15and bring home some silverware.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18But how is it even possible, you might ask, for a British athlete
0:01:18 > 0:01:22to be at the top of their sport in a country that has hardly any snow?
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Lindsey went to find out when she tried snowboarding inside.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29I'm in Manchester to find out about
0:01:29 > 0:01:32one of the most popular sports at this year's Winter Olympics -
0:01:32 > 0:01:34snowboarding.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36But we're missing a key ingredient.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39That's more like it!
0:01:39 > 0:01:42This is the UK's longest indoor ski slope,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45and the perfect place to have a go at the basics.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49My instructor, John, begins by teaching me
0:01:49 > 0:01:52to control myself using the edges of my board.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Keep your head up, look over my shoulder, that's it. Toes up.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00I'm an experienced skier
0:02:00 > 0:02:04but this is so different to anything I've learned before.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07It's just when I start going left or right,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10I get freaked out that one side's going to turn down the mountain.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Both feet fixed together feels really strange to me.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16That's it.I've turned, I've done it.Very good!
0:02:18 > 0:02:20And I just have to accept that falling over...
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Aaagh! ..is part of the process.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26This is terrifying. Ow!
0:02:26 > 0:02:27Hello... Grrrr!
0:02:29 > 0:02:32But I'm not going to be beaten.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37I am determined to get down the slope in one go.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42And with a bit more practice, I finally manage a full run.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Very good, slow it down, slow it down.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46All right, yeah, good skills!
0:02:46 > 0:02:50I made it all the way down! That felt quite good, you know.Nice.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54So, there's regular snowboarding...
0:02:57 > 0:02:58Ah, cute.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01And then there's freestyle snowboarding.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Whoohoo!
0:03:03 > 0:03:05And THAT is what I'm interested in.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10This is Katie Ormerod,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14one of the finest freestyle snowboarders anywhere in the world.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Katie, thank you for being on Blue Peter
0:03:22 > 0:03:25and well done on earning your badge. Thank you.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28First things first, what is freestyle snowboarding?
0:03:28 > 0:03:29Freestyle snowboarding, basically,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31if you just think of regular snowboarding where
0:03:31 > 0:03:34you go down the hill a bit, you then throw in other obstacles,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36so rails, or jumps in.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38You can basically be as creative as you want to be
0:03:38 > 0:03:42going off these jumps, doing spins, flips, do whatever you want to do.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52This is slopestyle.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58This involves snowboarding down a course
0:03:58 > 0:04:01performing a variety of tricks over obstacles along the way.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11We're sat on the mountain at the moment and down there I can see
0:04:11 > 0:04:15a jump, a lump of snow, basically, which is, is that a kicker?
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Yeah, you can call it a jump but some people also call it a kicker
0:04:18 > 0:04:22cos its main purpose is to kick you up into the air.Ah, OK!
0:04:31 > 0:04:35Katie, that was immense! You made that look so easy.
0:04:35 > 0:04:41That's what I would call a classic backside 420 spin off the kicker.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45It's a backside 360, but... I got some of it right! We're close.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Katie started snowboarding when she was just five years old,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and she's not the only one.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58This is it, we've got the squad here.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Who is ready for a jam session? ALL: Yeah!
0:05:01 > 0:05:03I think there's only one thing left to say. Go on, John.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04THROUGH LOUD-HAILER: Let's do this!
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Indoor slopes like this one mean more young people
0:05:10 > 0:05:11can give snow sports a go.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I'm Travis and I'm six.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Yeah, Travis, whoohoo!
0:05:24 > 0:05:26I like jumping over things.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I love skiing because it's fun and rewarding
0:05:31 > 0:05:33when you land a new trick.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Yeah, a grab!Yay!
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Hi, my name's Mia, I'm 10.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51I love snowboarding because you can learn all different tricks
0:05:51 > 0:05:53and you can be creative.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57But I can't stand back and let these guys do all the hard work.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59It's time for me to step forward
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and put my very basic skills to the test.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06OK, so, good session, guys.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08CHEERING
0:06:08 > 0:06:10All right, so, you've seen what these guys have got,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13so let's see what YOU'VE got. Oh, no!
0:06:13 > 0:06:15So, whether you like it or not,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18we've built the biggest jump to ever grace the Chill Factore.What?!
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Here we go!
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Oh.Are you ready? Even that looks massive to me.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26I know it looks rubbish to you guys. But I'll give it a go.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Anything for the BP badge. Don't laugh at me, please.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32This is my moment.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35My chance to become the queen of the slopes
0:06:35 > 0:06:37and soar through the air like Katie.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39CHEERING
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Yeah, whoo!
0:06:41 > 0:06:45Here goes. Just keep it steady, Linds, and don't fall over.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Oh, no.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50You've got this.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Here we go! Come on!
0:06:57 > 0:06:59OK, not the biggest jump in the world, but look,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02there's space below my board!
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Which means technically, I've just performed my very first air.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Do you know what, I am a bit embarrassed
0:07:08 > 0:07:12cos that wasn't the best jump ever, was it, guys?No!
0:07:12 > 0:07:15But it has been so fun learning, and I've loved it. Thank you, John.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Go give snowboarding a go. Awesome, isn't it?Yeah!Yeah!
0:07:19 > 0:07:21What an effort, Linds!
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Linds? Linds?
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Hey! Linds. How are you? Linds...?
0:07:27 > 0:07:31What, you don't think this is Lindsey Russell? Ah, my mistake.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32I do apologise.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Fringe. Yeah.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39THAT is Lindsey Russell.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43And now we've got the old gang back, who'd like to see some post? Linds?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46I'll take that as a yes.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52This has been sent in from Ava, who's 12 years old,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55and what a Spot Shelley book that is, Ava.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56I love playing Spot Shelley
0:07:56 > 0:07:58and that has got you your very own silver badge.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Next up, it's Alya who's just six years old
0:08:02 > 0:08:05and the creativity used to create this collage
0:08:05 > 0:08:07is off the charts, Alya! Loving your style.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12Hermione, who's 14, has sent us in this work of art.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13The Blue Peter ship.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17The expertise in that, Hermione, is absolutely fantastic.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Oliver and Jelena, six and eight years old.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22You've sent in, I think,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25the second-best snowman I've ever seen in my entire life.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Isn't that right, Linds?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Actually, it's the best.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Erin, who's eight years old, has made this fantastic Shelley.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35I tell you what, if I had your artistic skills at eight years old,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I think I'd become an artist. Well done!
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Linds, hasn't it been fab?
0:08:40 > 0:08:42She's really not been herself today, has Linds,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45but please do keep sending in your post to the usual place.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49We love it and it might get you your very own Blue Peter badge.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Next up, when Linds is much more like herself,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54is when me and her go head-to-head in speed skating.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Travelling at nearly 60mph,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03speed skating is one of the fastest sports around.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08This isn't a sport for the faint-hearted
0:09:08 > 0:09:11as skaters go head-to-head on razor-sharp blades
0:09:11 > 0:09:13just over a millimetre thick.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Radz, they are unbelievably fast.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20I could watch them all day - but rather them than me.I know.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Imagine if that was why we were here!
0:09:23 > 0:09:24It is, isn't it?
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Of course it is!
0:09:30 > 0:09:33In just a few weeks, we'll be battling it out to discover
0:09:33 > 0:09:36who is the fastest BP presenter on ice.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Now, I've done a few films on ice, Linds.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46And it's fair to say I know a thing or two.Yeah...
0:09:46 > 0:09:48Probably still worth getting a bit of coaching, Radz!
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Oh, dear!
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Enter former Olympic skaters, Mandy and John.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Hey, guys.We look the part. We feel like wobbly ducks.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01We are a little bit nervous today, can you help us out?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03You'll be fine out there today. As long as you enjoy yourself
0:10:03 > 0:10:04and give it a good go,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07you'll really enjoy the experience of learning to speed skate.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11How are you going to turn us from novices into pretend experts?
0:10:11 > 0:10:14The more time you spend on the ice, the more confident you'll get.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17The first thing we need to learn is how to balance
0:10:17 > 0:10:21on these special speed skates, with the help of Mr Snowman.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Oh, yes!
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Oooh! Gosh, I'm not even on the ice yet!
0:10:26 > 0:10:28OK, I'm going very slowly.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I don't like this. Can you just push me along, Mandy?No.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34I don't want to move.That's it. This is it, that's it.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Why is it so slippy?
0:10:36 > 0:10:38SHE FAKE-SOBS AND LAUGHS
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Using the snowman means we can concentrate on our technique,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48without falling over.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50It's so slippy!
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Ice, slippy? No(!)
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Linds, how's it going?Shush, Radzi.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00But Mr Snowman can't hold our hands forever, and it's time for us
0:11:00 > 0:11:03to get out and do this on our own.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Bring your feet together, bring your feet together.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09That's it, remember your arm swings as well, that's good.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Please never let go, never let go!That's it.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18Try and get your body down in the straight.This is so much fun.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22And John decides I'm doing well enough to work on my start.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26This arm forward, this arm back and it's just a case of running.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31There we go. And then skating!
0:11:31 > 0:11:35As for me, well, I'm not that advanced just yet.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37I'm speed skating!
0:11:41 > 0:11:45But by the end of the day, we've both made some real progress.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Mandy's decided to just...
0:11:50 > 0:11:51RADZI LAUGHS
0:11:51 > 0:11:53I've been upgraded to coach.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58A few weeks later, it's time for our next training session
0:11:58 > 0:12:02and John and Mandy kick it off with a surprise.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03Hi, Radzi, hi, Lindsey.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06I'm Elise Christie and I'm the world champion short track speed skater.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10If I was going to give some tips to newbies on short track,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12I would say the first thing is you have to get your body
0:12:12 > 0:12:15really low and into a really low, cramped position
0:12:15 > 0:12:18because that's really aerodynamic and fast.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21The next one is that you should just really have fun,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24because it's such a fun sport and it's all about going fast
0:12:24 > 0:12:26and racing and seeing who can finish first.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29So definitely, go out there, have fun and be excited.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32That's amazing.That's incredible.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Well, if that doesn't inspire, nothing will.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Let's do this!
0:12:38 > 0:12:39We're back.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42This is our last practice before we head out onto the ice
0:12:42 > 0:12:46for our challenge. Push, together. Push....
0:12:46 > 0:12:52Now we know how to stay on our feet, it's time to try and get faster.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55OK, just going to push with the right foot, that's it.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Push, together. Push, together.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01As in, like, as if you're walking, you just get that rhythm going.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05So we're not pushing, you're going,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07like a duck, two, three.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11All I can do is keep practising, try and get quicker,
0:13:11 > 0:13:12so I can beat Radzi.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18My position has to be right, I have to look ahead,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I have to commit, I have to be confident.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24And that's how I'm going to beat Lindsey. Shhh!
0:13:24 > 0:13:27We'll see about that, Radzi.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Next time, it's race day.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31There'll be drama...
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:13:34 > 0:13:38..there'll be a crowd, and there'll even be a BBC commentator.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43It's one-on-one, fastest over two laps, best of three.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47But will there be an ice king or an ice queen?
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Bring it on!Bring it on.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52Right, let's...See you out there.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Yeah, I'll see you...Good luck, mate.Yeah, you go first.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00I know we weren't very good, but it was so much fun and I've genuinely
0:14:01 > 0:14:04got the ultimate respect for anyone that's a speed skater because
0:14:04 > 0:14:07that sport is rock-hard. But stay tuned for part number two where
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Lindsey and I go head-to-head with some fairly average speeds.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14But if it's true incredible speeds you want, make sure you watch this
0:14:14 > 0:14:16next film - it will not disappoint.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18And, in fact, while that's playing,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21I'm going to impress the locals here with my snowball juggling.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25I've got two snowballs, all I need is one more. Anyone?
0:14:25 > 0:14:27No, not again! I said no! Just one, please!
0:14:27 > 0:14:30OK, you're going to get that one! And you as well!
0:14:30 > 0:14:33OK, while we keep doing this, you now get to see my favourite sport
0:14:33 > 0:14:35of all time - skeleton bobsleigh.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Oh, my goodness, my heart is absolutely pounding.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Oh!
0:14:43 > 0:14:45And it's this that's got my blood pumping.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47I've just hurtled head-first
0:14:47 > 0:14:50down an icy skeleton bob track.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56Skeleton is one of the fastest and most exciting sports in the
0:14:56 > 0:14:57Winter Olympics,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01and when I was a student I had ambitions of becoming a top slider.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05But I haven't been near a track for three years,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07so to help me realise my dream of sliding on ice...
0:15:09 > 0:15:12..Shelley Rudman is taking me back to basics.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Let me just show you. If you're going to lift your head up it'll be
0:15:15 > 0:15:17like that, feet up, a bit higher.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18Hold on really, really tight.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21It's a bit wet today so it might be a bit slippy as well.OK.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27I'm definitely a bit rusty
0:15:27 > 0:15:30but I've still got some of the noisier skeleton skills.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31HE YELLS
0:15:31 > 0:15:34After my training I asked Shelley for some top tips.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37For anyone who doesn't know what skeleton is, what exactly is it?
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Skeleton bobsleigh is where you race head-first on your front
0:15:41 > 0:15:44on a sled down ice chutes.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46And how fast do you go?
0:15:46 > 0:15:48You can go up to about 85mph.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53There aren't any brakes so you can't stop.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56You could drag your feet to slow you down but that's not advisable
0:15:56 > 0:16:00and the curves are coming at you quite quickly
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and you start to almost navigate them instinctly.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05The first time is really unusual, though, so it's...
0:16:05 > 0:16:07SHE PANTS
0:16:07 > 0:16:10It's very breathtaking and it's a unique experience.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12COMMENTATOR:4.99!
0:16:12 > 0:16:15That's a tremendous start from Shelley Rudman.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18What do you think it takes to be world-class at skeleton?
0:16:18 > 0:16:20I think you have to have a really good instinct.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22You need to have really good spatial awareness.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25You need to be quite strong, quick, powerful
0:16:25 > 0:16:29and all those components can make you...the start of a good athlete.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32And if you were, say, ten years old, at home, thinking,
0:16:32 > 0:16:33"Skeleton looks brilliant..."
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Perhaps you see it at the Winter Olympics and you think,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38"I want to get involved in that," what advice would you have?
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Try lots of different sport - speed sports, maybe balance sports -
0:16:41 > 0:16:44and try and build up their abilities that way.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46So, lots of transferable skills from other sports that
0:16:46 > 0:16:48could in the future help you with skeleton?Exactly.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51COMMENTATOR:This is going to be good from Shelley Rudman.
0:16:51 > 0:16:52She will go into the lead, surely.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Big hit there but it doesn't matter,
0:16:54 > 0:16:55she's in first place.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Thanks so much for joining us. Thank you.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01And good luck for the rest for the season.Thank you very much. Cheers.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04But my challenge isn't to talk about skeleton, so I'm heading to
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Igls Sliding Centre in Innsbruck, Austria,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09to link up with Team GB's development squad
0:17:09 > 0:17:13and make a high-speed run down the world-famous track.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18But before I'm allowed to slide, skeleton ice coach Mark Wood
0:17:18 > 0:17:22wants me to take in each bend and bump of the track,
0:17:22 > 0:17:24and some important safety advice.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28You'll feel these little waves, nothing to worry about.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32You're going to feel it want to go, that's OK, don't worry about it,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34it's fine.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Just making you aware of what could possibly go wrong as what
0:17:36 > 0:17:39could possibly go right as well. I appreciate that.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43One of Mark's coaching techniques is to encourage sliders to
0:17:43 > 0:17:46visualise the course in their minds, helping commit every twist
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and turn to memory.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Big corner two.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Down.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Almost immediately into three.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Feel the first pressure, shoulder down.Yeah.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Release as it comes off.Yeah.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Squeeze this pressure and then just let it come out.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09This is the major area. The key to get down the track is right here.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13If I'm going to come off my sled it'll probably happen here -
0:18:13 > 0:18:14corner nine.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Got to try and keep hold of the sled.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21If you lose the sled, push it away from you
0:18:21 > 0:18:24and then keep tight in. The reason we're pushing the sled away from us
0:18:24 > 0:18:27so that it's accelerating and we're slowing down.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31If you don't get anything else on this track apart from this...
0:18:31 > 0:18:35That's all I'm really worried about is this part.OK.All right?
0:18:36 > 0:18:37He's going to be nervous.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40I mean, he hasn't been on a sled for quite a while, right?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43It's all going to be brand-new to him again and, you know,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46you've got to imagine you're two inches off the ice,
0:18:46 > 0:18:48your face is really, really close,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50and you're going to be doing about 60mph.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54We can't guarantee anything. Once he's gone, he's on his own.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57If anything goes wrong he's got to get out of it himself.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Not many people choose to take up this sport.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03It's fast, furious and dangerous.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06And that's exactly why it appealed to me.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08But at this moment in time I'm not so sure.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14There's a huge part of me that is actually scared.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Haven't done this for a very, very long time
0:19:17 > 0:19:21and just crossing that finish line is going to be an exhilaration
0:19:21 > 0:19:23that's going to be off the charts.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27But, to be honest with you, number one is be safe...
0:19:27 > 0:19:30I can't think about that too much cos that actually does
0:19:30 > 0:19:31really make me scared.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Now it's my turn.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37I'm about to go at the same speed as a car on the motorway.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Except I'm going face-first down the ice.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49After just a couple of hundred metres I'm really picking up pace.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56Before I know it,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I'm hurtling around the longest bend in the course.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05And once I'm clear of that, I'm approaching THE danger corner.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06Corner nine.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14And I'm through, on the sled, in one piece.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21And now I'm on the home straight
0:20:21 > 0:20:22and loving it.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Oh, my goodness!
0:20:27 > 0:20:28Yes!
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Yeeeees!
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Oh! On the top of that run I was thinking to myself,
0:20:35 > 0:20:36"Am I going to do this?
0:20:36 > 0:20:38"Come on, Radzi, come on, Radzi, come on, Radzi,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40"let's do it, let's do it, let's do it."
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Oh! And I am so pleased I just did that.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Oh, my goodness, my heart is absolutely pounding.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57I actually loved that.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Oh, that was so good!
0:21:03 > 0:21:04GUNSHOT
0:21:06 > 0:21:09If you love speed, adrenaline and exhilaration, skeleton is
0:21:09 > 0:21:13the sport of you. Let me tell you, it's definitely the sport for me.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Now here is a BP exclusive -
0:21:15 > 0:21:17on the very day we were sliding on that track,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20the GB future squad were training.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23One of those guys, Jerry Rice, has now qualified for Team GB
0:21:23 > 0:21:27and will be competing at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31I'm so behind him. Alongside him - Dom Parsons, Lizzy Yarnold
0:21:31 > 0:21:32and Laura Deas.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Guys, fingers crossed, do the business and bring home the gold.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Did someone say skeleton at the Olympics?
0:21:38 > 0:21:39Hey!
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Yes! So that is what is happening at the Winter Olympics
0:21:43 > 0:21:45and here's what's happening on the BP website.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Spoon numero uno.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Oh!What's happening? I can't feel a thing.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Loads happening on the BP website.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Now, this is meant to be the BP winter sports special
0:22:21 > 0:22:27so I've combined bobsleigh and luge to make this - the BP sledge!
0:22:27 > 0:22:30OK, I did just want to go sledging. We're off!
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Whoo!
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Yup, fun - but I want more speed. Which is why me and Lindsey
0:22:43 > 0:22:46are about to go head-to-head in speed skating.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Onward!
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Welcome to the Nottingham Arena and to the National Ice centre,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54the Blue Peter speed skating challenge,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57as Radzi goes head-to-head with Lindsey
0:22:57 > 0:22:59to see who'll be the fastest, who'll be the bravest.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02It's best of three races around two laps
0:23:02 > 0:23:04of the National Ice Centre surface.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Plenty of nerves down on the start line, and we're almost ready
0:23:08 > 0:23:11for the start of race number one.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Ready!
0:23:12 > 0:23:15PISTOL FIRES
0:23:15 > 0:23:17And we're underway in race one.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19It's a good start from Radzi.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Looks like he's going to get to the first corner first.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Both of them managing to stay on their skates at the moment
0:23:27 > 0:23:32and Lindsey trying to close the gap down the back straight.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Good support from the fans on the far side of the National Ice Centre
0:23:36 > 0:23:39as Lindsey has Radzi in her sights,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42and now tries to take him on down the home straight.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45But Radzi just about manages to fight off the first
0:23:45 > 0:23:47attack from Lindsey.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48I touched you, Linds!
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Radzi has the lead. He had it from the start.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Got the better start, got into the first corner first.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59And Lindsey, despite her best efforts,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01has not yet been able to get back towards him.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Now she closes the gap again.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Whoa! Whoa!
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Radzi almost stumbles
0:24:07 > 0:24:10but he's going to take race number one by about a metre and a half.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13It's Radzi who wins race number one.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19Radzi now knows if he wins race two he will be the champion.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23I nearly fell over a few times. You did. I was hoping you would.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25You didn't! You wouldn't get out my way!
0:24:25 > 0:24:28CHEERING
0:24:31 > 0:24:35The pressure is on Lindsey as the two skaters get to the start line.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36PISTOL FIRES
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Whoa!
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Both of these skaters have had good luck messages from Elise Christie,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46star of the Great Britain short track speed skating team who
0:24:46 > 0:24:48trains on this very ice.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51And Lindsey's made a very good start to head number two.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55Radzi just opening up his strides to try and close the gap.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59He's taken that corner very wide but now swings in behind Lindsey
0:24:59 > 0:25:01and will try and overtake on the home straight.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05Lindsey, just as Radzi did in heat number one, has taken the inside
0:25:05 > 0:25:08track, got to the first corner
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and has kept her lead throughout the race so far.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12Just over half a lap to go
0:25:12 > 0:25:15and Radzi knows he's going to have to attack now.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Lindsey nice and tight round the corner and as they come into the
0:25:22 > 0:25:26home straight Lindsey is managing to hold off Radzi's challenge.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28And Lindsey with a sprint finish gets across the line
0:25:28 > 0:25:32and levels things up at 1-1.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36We are going to have a deciding race to see who's going to be
0:25:36 > 0:25:39the Blue Peter speed skating champion.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42So, we're even.We're even. It all comes down to this.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46So we come to the third
0:25:46 > 0:25:50and deciding heat of the Blue Peter speed skating challenge.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53One race all so far.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02This is the decider. It's a good start from both skaters and Radzi
0:26:02 > 0:26:06doesn't get to the first corner first, it is Lindsey who has
0:26:06 > 0:26:09that advantage but this time they're closer than they have been
0:26:09 > 0:26:11in either of the first two heats.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Good speed down the home straight from Lindsey
0:26:24 > 0:26:26to just open the gap a little bit further
0:26:26 > 0:26:29and Radzi's got a lot of work to do.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36It's Lindsey who lost the first heat, who came back in the second
0:26:36 > 0:26:38and looks as if she's got the distance.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40She looks as if she's got the gap.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44She looks as if she's got the speed to hold off Radzi.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46It's Lindsey who wins!
0:26:46 > 0:26:48She takes the Blue Peter speed skating challenge
0:26:48 > 0:26:51by two races to one.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55Yes! Boom!
0:26:55 > 0:26:59If you enjoyed watching this even a tiny, tiny bit,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02imagine how much fun you'll have watching this at the Winter Olympics
0:27:02 > 0:27:05when the best in the world are all doing this sport
0:27:05 > 0:27:06so much better than we are.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Get some skates and give it a go.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Don't forget your gloves - it's cold.It's very cold.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18How much fun was that? And all I'll say is give speed skating a go.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20In fact, why don't you get inspired by watching Team GB
0:27:20 > 0:27:24compete at the Winter Olympics and the Winter Paralympics?
0:27:24 > 0:27:27In fact, watch the entire thing, it will be incredible
0:27:27 > 0:27:31and fingers crossed for every single athlete - especially for Team GB.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Well, that's just about it for me today.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35All I'll say is a massive goodbye from me
0:27:35 > 0:27:38and a...massive goodbye from the Swiss Alps.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40See you next time.