Chemmy Alcott

Hi [Small Talk panics over pronunciation and plumps for Shemmy] Chemmy

Hi Small Talk! How you doing?

Fine, fine. But more to the point, how are you after the last few weeks?

I’ve had a bit of a rollercoaster ride, to be honest. I was very emotional. I had some races where I let myself down but at the same time I had other races where I surpassed my expectations so I was happy.

Your finishes ranged between 22nd and 11th - and one disqualification - but Small Talk hears you’re pretty chummy with your competitors. Was there any satisfaction in seeing them do well?

Yeah! Winter sport is such a tough sport that you really respect people for being at the top of their game. I really respect someone who can go downhill and beat me by two seconds when I’ve reached my limit.

Your website, www.chemmyalcott.com

, makes it quite clear that you’re an ambitious young thing. How do you see your future from here?

These Games have shown me that I have the ability to make it to the top. I have always believed that but by coming third in a split I have shown other people that I can make it. It’s just inconsistency that I’ve got to iron out, which we always knew. That’s always been my weak point and we obviously haven’t worked on it enough because it’s still my weak point.

So are you straight into training now?

I’ve had one day off and now I’m back training at our base in Austria. Other sports tend to finish after their Olympics, but we’ve got more World Cups, national championships, everything, left. This is pretty much the middle of our season, there’s no time to breathe now.

What are you aiming for in all these competitions?

[Without pausing for breath] I really want to make finals. I haven’t made finals for a long time in alpine skiing, so that’s a big goal for me. The last time I actually made it I crashed.

If you could sneak a couple of days off now, what would you do?

I’d go somewhere hot and go surfing. I’m not very good at sitting down doing nothing.

So if someone made a film about your life, you’d need an all-action Lara Croft type to play you?

I think Pamela Anderson would be good [laughs]. Then I can finally convince people that I look good with boobs, because I don’t have any. And I think she’s smarter that people think, which is also like me. Some people are surprised I got four As at A level so I must come across as daft. But you don’t want to be a big thinker when you ski, you want to feel and go with the flow.

What was the last CD you bought?

A Nickleback one - I find it motivating before I ski.

What’s your favorite TV show?

I love That 70s Show, and series like Lost and the OC. When I’m training on the bike, films are too long so I just put them on, get on the bike and time goes so fast.

What would you put in Room 101?

What’s Room 101? [Small Talk explains all] Oh! I’d put my hands in there because I bite my nails and every time I look at them I feel naughty and ashamed of myself. And my feet. Probably not the kind of things you were thinking of... how about Eddie the Eagle’s reputation? It made a mockery of the sport.

Can you tell us a joke?

I don’t really have to tell jokes, people just laugh at me.

Eh, OK. What’s your poison?

I only drink Pimms, everything else burns my throat too much - even wine. I don’t need to drink though, I’ve been thrown out of places for being drunk when I haven’t touched a drop! I just get so excitable! I’m the cheapest date in the world.

And on that bombshell, we’ll bid you farewell.
Bye!

This interview was arranged with the help of Michelob ULTRA, the 5% low-carb premium beer. It’s the official beer sponsor of Winter and Summer Team GB Olympic Squads and delivers a smooth, refreshing flavor with low carbohydrate