Skeleton makes Invictus Games debut as sporting action moves to Whistler

Day three of the Invictus Games saw the sporting action move from the buzzing city atmosphere of Vancouver to the picturesque mountains of Whistler.

Perched above Whistler Village on Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler Sliding Centre is no stranger to hosting world-class sporting events having previously played host to the Bobsleigh, Skeleton and Luge events at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Fifteen years later, Invictus athletes now had the opportunity to take on this famous Olympic track as Skeleton made its debut in the games.

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Eleven Team UK athletes made the start list for the first day of the Skeleton event, throwing themselves down the ice track headfirst in a sport that tests not only their speed but also their confidence.

Mac McLaren was among the Team UK athletes to take part in the first day of the Skeleton events where he managed a time of 33.15 seconds.

Speaking to BFBS Forces News, he said: "It was amazing, probably the best that I had ever done.

"I managed, I think, a time of 33.15 and I didn't die [laughs]. My rugby coach will be pleased that I've come away completely unscathed."

The athletes only got the chance to run down the track for the first time ahead of Monday's competition.

McLaren added: "I had no idea what it was going to be like going into it because we hadn't done a run and today was the first ever.

"But just the adrenaline of it, it just makes you feel alive!"

The Skeleton action will continue on Tuesday where medals will be up for grabs, and competitors will also take on new challenges as Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding, Nordic Cross-Country and Biathlon will also be making their Invictus Games debut.