Joanna is currently the only female skepeton racer in Jersey

Joanna Matthews (25) works as a dog walker but her passion is skeleton racing.

What’s your obsession?
‘Skeleton racing’

What got you into it?
‘My friend, Alex Parkes, who is also in the bobsleigh team, dragged me along to an open day at St Peter’s country fair. I had no idea what to expect but I enjoyed it and I ended up going to the Netherlands to have a go on a dry push track. They recommended that I try skeleton and I ended up coming home with a gold and silver medal. That got me keen!’

How often do you do it?
‘I am part of the Jersey Bobsleigh Club Association and we do regular training. In the summer we do it on Thursdays and Sundays and in the winter we do it on Tuesdays and we also do weights. As far as actual skeleton racing goes, I have been on two separate events – one in Igls in Austria and the other in Lillehammer in Norway, spending a week at each training and competing with the army team.

‘This winter I am planning to head out to Calgary in Canada to join with the Alberta skeleton club to have constant access to a run and I will also be returning to the Netherlands dry track.’

Where do you do it?
‘I train on the dunes and the beach and on the push track at St Aubin. I also attend events that are organised by the army.’

Is it easy to get into?
‘Jersey has its own bobsleigh club which anyone can join. If you show commitment and dedication then you will have a chance of getting a place in the army training camp. Other than that, in places where there are bob tracks you can catch a tourist bob, which is a padded version of a bob sled. So if you want to give it a try it is possible.’

What skills do you need?
‘Speed, strength, agility and balls.’

Is it popular in Jersey?
‘As it stands at the moment I am the only female skeleton racer in the Island.’

What do you like about it?
‘The rush. Once you have done it once it’s such an adrenaline rush, you want to go straight back to the top – where the fear kicks in all over again. Also, the speed and the flow of the track – I just love it. It’s hard to describe, because I know nothing else like it.’

What do you need to do it?
‘Physical fitness.’

How do I get into it?
‘Contact the Jersey Bobsleigh Club.’

• Know anyone with an offbeat passion? Put them in touch with the jepGO… team