L a t e s t  n e w s ..... Louise Bain and Callum Henderson win both rounds of Twin Peaks races at Fir Park & Hillend ...

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams' (Eleanor Roosevelt).

The season is barely over and yet the demands on athletes by sponsors and the media and never ending.  Chemmy Alcott took time out from her hectic preseason to lunch with her sponsors, financial services company Witan, and a vast array of those that have written about her, supported her and been there for her over the years.  The lunch, hosted by Witan, was well attended and during the dessert Chemmy spoke about the highs and lows of last season.

While many felt that last season was not the best for her, Chemmy argued that it was all part of the learning curve and that with the 19th place at the World Championships in the Super G, a best ever British female speed result, as well as the results from her last two races of the season (two Giant Slalom's in Villard de Lens in April) that saw her halve her World ranking in the discipline, things ended on a high.

Naturally there was a lot of talk about the infamous feet: Chemmy's Diaries on the World Cup Skiing show on Channel 4 have proved very popular and the insight that this has provided has not only provided Chemmy with a army of new fans but, according to Witan, have also provided her with a number of marriage proposals!  Chemmy assured us that the feet are much better and next season is looking good already.

Next season has already started and being an Olympic year, there is already a lot of focus on what can be expected from Chemmy in Turin.  "There is no doubt that I went to Salt Lake for the experience," Chemmy admits.  "I am not four years older, wiser and so much more professional." Having raced on the slope that will be used for the speed races earlier this season, Chemmy is full of optimism.  "I am only 22 at the moment so by the time Whistler comes around in 2010, I will be at my peak.  This time I am going there not just to make up the numbers but looking to challenge."  With the news that she will be going to South America (Argentina) twice this summer and will be spending time training with the likes of Finland's Slalom World Champion, Tanja Poutiainen and Slovenia's Tina Maze, both World Cup winners, it shows that she is being considered someone that others can watch and learn from.

Not long after the hacks scrambled back to their desks to feast on the scraps remaining from the football season, Chemmy was off.  First she was off to the gym and then travelling overnight back to Salzberg to start her summer fitness training.  Two years ago she was based in Austria and then made the big breakthrough and has decided to return there this year.

Having spent two weeks surfing with good buddy and double medal winner from the Bormio World Championships, Julia Mancuso, Chemmy wants medals of her own.  The desire and determination are there, the backing from Witan is in place and the back up from the fitness and coaching staff is undiminished.  The road to Turin has begun for Chemmy.