Winter Olympics: Kiara Reddingius goes from snow-less Leonora to bobsleigh brakewoman role in Beijing

From heptathlon to bobsleigh. From red-hot Leonora to the ice-cold Winter Olympics.

And, with a bit of luck, from the grind of training to the glory of a Games medal.

That’s the goal for WA’s Kiara Reddingius, who switched sports barely 10 months ago - and only saw snow for the first time three months ago - in a path that has shades of the hit ‘90s film Cool Runnings.

Reddingius will partner Bree Walker in the two-woman bobsleigh in Beijing, capping a remarkable year that began with uncertainty over whether she’d even enjoy the athletic career change after switching from heptathlon.

“I was really concerned when I signed up for it that I wouldn’t like it,” Reddingius told The West Live.

“I don’t really like rollercoasters, and I also don’t really like not being in control.

“Neither of those things shout out to be good at bobsleigh.

“But from the time I first jumped in, I’ve had complete trust in the pilots I’ve slid with.”

The 30-year-old Goldfields product switched up her training regime in order to thrive in her brakewoman role, running and thrusting the bobsleigh forward at the start of the race before nestling in behind her pilot teammate.

“The training for bobsleigh is a lot more strength-based,” she said.

“I’ve had to do a lot more gym work than I was probably used to.

“I took out a fair bit of my running and added a lot more strength work to increase that power, because you’re only sprinting for 30 or 40 metres.”

Reddingius has been overseas since August, and has spent the past few months touring the European circuit as part of the World Cup competition before turning her attention to Beijing.

In a sport where fractions of seconds can be the difference between success and failure, Reddingius is adopting a ‘why not us?’ mentality as the Aussies look to shock the world.

“I think anything can happen,” she said.

“We’re pushing really well - the pushes that Bree and I have done together have been in the top 10 in the world, and if you’re in that position to start with, it sets you up for a really good opportunity.

“This track is very tricky, it’s very technical. It’s anyone’s game because no one’s really had the experience to know what it’s doing and how to drive it.”