WHEN Laura Deas stepped onto the podium in Pyeongchang, North East Wales finally had its own medal winning Winter Olympian.

The Leader caught up with the bronze medal winning skeleton boarder at a special civic reception organised in her honour by Flintshire Council at County Hall in Mold.

Going into the Winter Olympics, Laura was feeling confident. “I’ve always said I would be disappointed if I came away from Pyeongchang without medals,” said Laura. “Whether other people thought I could win a medal I don’t know, but I always knew that if everything went right on the day it could very well all come together.”

Wales and the UK as a whole is not known for its winter sports prowess, so Laura had to put herself forwards for a UK sport talent search. As it happens Laura had the perfect physical attributes for the skeleton, in part due to her 30m sprint time.

In Pyeongchang she competed alongside her compatriot Lizzy Yarnold, who won gold in the same event.

Speaking about her relationship with Lizzy, Laura said: “We’re very good friends off and on the track.

“It was lovely not only to share the podium with her, but to share the whole experience with her.

“I don’t think many people get to share an Olympic podium with one of their best friends.”

Speaking about how it felt to win a medal, Laura said: “I feel really very proud, I don’t think I could be prouder. Not just winning a bronze medal but also being Wales’ first Winter Olympic medalist.”

Laura, who went on to her home village to see a phone box that has been painted bronze in her honour, added: “When I was younger I would basically have a go at anything at school which was mainly netball, hockey and cross-country running and then through the equestrian side of things I went on to do eventing which was my main sport when I put myself forward for the Skeleton program.

“So it’s been quite a progression of sports along the way, which probably really helped me and gave me quite a wide skill set.”

Talking about opportunities in sport, Laura said: “I would encourage any young person to no worry about specialising in one particular sport too early.

“Give everything a go and keep doing what you enjoy.

“If you want to be selected for an elite program, then keep an eye out for the programs that UK Sport run.”

Cllr Brian Lloyd, chairman of Flintshire County Council, said: “I am delighted Laura and her guests were able to join us at County Hall to congratulate her on her wonderful achievement.

“It is fitting that her home county of Flintshire, where she grew up, gives recognition to her achievements and this has been our opportunity to formally thank and congratulate her.

“On behalf of all of us at Flintshire County Council, I wish Laura great success for the future.”

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