DAN HUMPHRIES looks down the Cesana Pariol - a death-defying downhill bobsleigh spiral that only the well insured or criminally insane would attempt - and shivers.

Wales' only Winter Olympian, from Rogiet, Gwent, has a problem - and, amazingly, it's not vertigo or a fear of speeds.

"It's great being at the Olympics but I'm struggling to get used to the cold," he admits.

"I'm so freezing that I can barely concentrate. I just want to get down that track as quickly as possible so I can put my jacket on, get inside and warm-up."

Four years ago Humph-ries, 26, was more interested in the Six Nations than the Olympics but the former Cross Keys flanker couldn't be more focussed this time around.

The RAF engineer, who begins competition in Turin this weekend,is used to a working world where a lack of precision kills - and it's no different in bobsleigh, where sleds reach speeds equivalent of six Gs of force through some corners.

"I've only been in the sport for three years, and seriously for only two," he adds. "Really, I'm still a baby and I'm learning all the time and just being here is an achievement for me.

"I've caught the Olympic bug now and I definitely want more - I'll be 30 for Vancou-ver in 2010 and really in my prime. This is just the start for me - the best is still to come."

Humphries will compete in Britain's two and four-man team. Along with driver Lee Johnston he is currently ranked 16th in two-man and 18th in four-man, where his teammates include former Common-wealth Games 200m champion Marcus Adam.

"We're after a top ten finish but this track hasn't got the happiest of memories for us - last time we were here our sled broke," he adds.

Humphries has every right to feel cursed about his luck. In the last three years he has suffered a dislocated collarbone, broken both his feet, displaced his pelvis and damaged nerve endings in his neck.

He also spent five days in hospital after burns sustained following a high-speed crash in Canada got badly infected. "I suppose it's not a sport for the scared or faint-hearted - but I've always been a risk taker," he adds.

"I've got great confidence in Lee, our driver. I put my life in his hands every time I get into the sled and I trust him 100 per-cent and I hope he feels the same about me."

There is a long tradition of HM Forces providing members of Britain's bobsleigh team, who have won 14 Olympic medals down the years, including a gold at the 1964 Games in Innsbruck.

Driver Johnston and his brother Martin both serve in the Royal Marines while Jacqueline Davies, a silver medallist at last year's women's world championships, is a corporal in the Royal Signals.

"I'm grateful for the RAF's fantastic support because they allow me to focus full-time on my bobsleighing and I'm proud to represent my squadron here," adds Humphries.

"But if I don't perform they'll have me back fixing navigation systems in no time at all. I would not have it any other way and I'd be happy to do it but my bobsleighing career is just beginning."