So, on Friday I went and got my Olympic accreditation authenticated, validated, activated, laminated, and whatever other -ated I needed to officially be inducted as a member of OBSV's Production and Tech Personnel for the upcoming Olympic Games.

The process was surprisingly quick and easy - no problem finding the Whistler Accreditation Centre, no problem finding parking, not even a single line to stand in.

Okay, so after a brief absence from cyberspace, I am back.

What's that you ask? Why haven't I been supplying you with your regular dose of cynical, indiscrimate, irrevent and unapologetic sarcasm for the past two months? How 'bout I just go ahead and summarize?

So, when you saunter into the skeleton world as a newbie you start hearing stories from faraway lands. Stories about the kreisel in Altenberg, where you will probably die on your first run down. Stories about the roman baths where everyone swims naked. Stories about the everflowing fountains of chocolate milk at the Lake Placid training centre. Stories about the outlet mall in Park City. Stories about the schnitzel stands at the bottom of the track in Winterberg and reminders to tuck money into your speedsuit so that you can buy a bratwurst and glüwein after your runs.

We had our first set of circuit races here in Königssee this weekend, and the result was ... well, to be perfectly honest ... it was pretty sweet. I think the brilliance that is my second-place-trophy-slash-candy-dish says it all ...

After a nine-hour flight and two-hour drive, we arrived in Königssee, Germany today for the first stop on the Europa Cup circuit. While I do have in my collection a 6th-place trophy on this track from last season, this is actually my first time here, since the stop last year was cancelled because of some complications on the World Cup tour.

This afternoon we headed over to the track to get a peak at our competition venue and at first glance, there seems to be something missing.