From sprinters to bobsledders
When it comes to breeding grounds for bobsledders, Perth may as well be in Jamaica.
Both places are known for their beaches and warm climates.
But it hasn't stopped the locations from producing bobsleigh teams for next week's Sochi Winter Olympics, with Perth sprinters Gareth Nichols and Lucas Mata forming half of Australia's four-man combination.
The boys are familiar with cult comedy Cool Runnings about a Jamaican team which raises cash to get an unlikely berth at a Winter Olympics.
And in spite of learning the craft themselves on a dry track at Challenge Stadium in a bobsled on wheels, they see nothing odd about two Sandgropers hurt-ling down an icy chute at speeds reaching more than 130km/h.
Mata, who hails from Mullaloo, said training alongside skeleton slider and fellow Olympics team member Lucy Chaffer in Perth's heat for several years had made the journey feel natural.
"With her going away and chasing the European winters all the time, it didn't really feel like a surprise," Mata said.
The journey started almost three years ago when the 25-year-old's name was passed on without his knowledge to Australian bobsleigh team driver Heath Spence.
The young 100m State champion had wanted a break from track and field after a series of injuries and - with 30-year-old Nichols from Floreat also head-hunted - took the plunge in 2011.
Weights, squats and acceleration over the first 30m was the initial training focus to help the two "pushers" propel the bobsled from the top of the run.
Within weeks they were thrown into their first competition at Park City, Utah.
"Our first run after seeing our first bobsled ever was in a race," Mata said.
"They sort of just threw us down and said you're competing today. Jumping in is sometimes the biggest fear for people - not getting in. But once you're in, it's like sitting in a rollercoaster without seatbelts.
"As you go around some corners, you're sitting flexed as though you're doing a hamstring stretch and you go around some corners and they just flatten you to the floor.
"Your head goes further than you even knew it could."
Mata's parents initially thought bobsleigh would be a passing fancy for their son. More than 1000 runs later and they realise it is no passing fad.
"When I told Mum and Dad, they just laughed and said 'here's another one of Lucas' adventures'," he said.
"But then it stuck. They were surprised and scared initially, but they came and watched last year. They love it now."
