Launching yourself down an ice track at nearly 100mph is an odd thing for someone who is terrified of rollercoasters.
Army Reservist Private Mica Moore of the Royal Logistic Corps will represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics.
But for Welsh Reservist Private Mica Moore the thrill of competing at the Winter Olympics is more than enough to face up to her fears.
The 33 year old won a place with the Jamaican bobsleigh team to compete in the female monobob at this year's Milan Cortina games.
Based at Maindy Barracks in Cardiff with 580 Squadron, 157 (Welsh) Transport Regiment, Mica already boasts an impressive list of sporting achievements.
"As a sportsperson you spend a lot of time by yourself and when I joined 157 I felt that camaraderie and friendship in the Squadron and it's lovely to have that outside of my sporting life."
A former sprinter who represented Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Mica later switched sports and, alongside pilot Mica McNeil, finished eighth at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics – Britain’s best result in the two-woman bobsleigh.
Mica said: "As a sportsperson you spend a lot of time by yourself and when I joined 157 I felt that camaraderie and friendship in the Squadron and it's lovely to have that outside of my sporting life."
Army Reservist Private Mica Moore of the Royal Logistic Corps will represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics
The Reservist’s grandfather came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation and settled in Wales, with Mica receiving her Jamaican citizenship in late 2024.
"To qualify for the Jamaican Olympic team you obviously have to have a track record and prowess," said the former Cardiff Metropolitan University student.
"Specifically, to be a good bobsleigher you have to be a good sprinter and you have to be strong because my monobob weighs around 180-185kg.
"To face up to it and push harder I've always repeated to myself the line, 'only the fearless can be great'.”
"I have to be able to shift that myself and apply speed to it, utilising plyometric strength and with an added little bit of craziness to reach such speeds.
"There are not many people my size in bobsleigh and there are athletes five inches taller than me and maybe even 10kg heavier.
"But no matter what the size, the pinnacle of any athlete's career is to qualify for an Olympics.”
Army Reservist Private Mica Moore of the Royal Logistic Corps will represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics
Taking part in such a high-speed event is something Mica has consistently challenged herself to excel in, despite natural instincts.
She said: "I absolutely hate rollercoasters and am petrified of heights.
"I won't even go up in the loft because the ladder's too high and I'm not built for scary things, but there's something about bobsleigh that draws me in.
"When I joined the regiment I knew very quickly I'd made the right decision.”
"To face up to it and push harder I've always repeated to myself the line, 'only the fearless can be great'.
"Every time I've got to the top of a track and may have had a crash the week before or have had something go wrong, my mantra has always been to be fearless.
"It's attempting that thing of doing something that scares you everyday and that something for me is bobsleigh."
Mica is also grateful for her early experiences at Maindy Barracks.
Army Reservist Private Mica Moore of the Royal Logistic Corps will represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics
She said: "When I joined the regiment I knew very quickly I'd made the right decision.
"They all ask me about my sport and to meet different people from various backgrounds is something which I really like and we make a really nice community.
Mica also acknowledges the strong support from her family.
“It all means so much to me and when I heard I had qualified, that is where the emotion came from.”
“My mum is a very proud Jamaican and that’s what makes this such a lovely moment," said Mica.
“It has been a long journey and I’ve had some difficult years. I will forever be grateful to my parents for supporting me. They never let me give up.
“It all means so much to me and when I heard I had qualified, that is where the emotion came from.
“For me it will be a case of producing four consistent runs in Milan and then seeing what happens.
Her determination to succeed is illustrated in being self-funded to the tune of £40,000.
“Being self-funded makes it more difficult,” said Mica.
“I’ve had to fight for everything and get sponsors on board and the Army has helped as much as it can.
"The monobob I bought three years ago cost £25,000 alone.
"But the hard work, the training and search for backing is all worth it for the Olympic experience."
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