Former surf life saver Michelle Steele traded the sand for the snow when introduced to the winter sport of skeleton in 2004, and she hasn’t looked back.
The University of Queensland student from Bundaberg was discovered through the Australian Institute of Sport talent identification program and is currently ranked 10th in the world for the skeleton.
Michelle has just finished her fourth season after returning from Germany where she competed in the Federation of International Bobsleigh and Toboggan (FIBT) World Championships.
She now has her sights set firmly on the 2010 Winter Olympics, where she aims to improve on her 13th place finished at the 2006 Turino Winter Olympics.
“I’m training hard to qualify and be a strong contender for the games in Vancouver,” she said.
Although she loves her sports, Michelle thinks that the excitement of travelling the world has worn off.
“I miss going to the beach and the sun, it gets hectic when you train, race and travel living out of a suitcase and not having enough time to unpack it," she said.
“I love coming back home and seeing my family and friends."
As well as her rigorous training schedule, Michelle is in her fourth and final year of an Occupational Therapy degree at UQ, where she also holds a UQ SPORT scholarship in her chosen sport.
Media: Elena Leslie (07 3346 9874) or Rachel Hawksford (07 3345 6031).
