Endless hours of rigorous training , countless repetitive rehearsals to perfect your technique and you fluff your lines on the big stage . A horrifying scene no athlete wants to be part of . However that 's what happened to Russia 's unfortunate skeleton slider Elena Nikitina , when she overshot the mark and completely missed her sled in her very first run of the World Championships in Germany . At the height of her speed in front of an eagerly awaiting crowd , the poor Russian took a tumble and slid down the hill further than a certain Sol Campbell tackle on Ivica Olic when England played Croatia in the Euro 2008 qualifiers . It was all going to plan as Elena Nikitina began her first run in the Skeleton World Championships in Germany . However the Russian slider failed to grab on to one of the sled 's handles , completely missing her target . We 're happy to announce that Nikitina emerged uninjured after her unfortunate episode in Winterberg , only suffering a minor blow to her pride . Great Britain's Lizzy Yarnold is on course to completing a career quadruple after setting a new track record on the Winterberg Hochsauerland bobsleigh track . Yarnold will look to stay in contention for gold as the women head into the final day of the competition on Saturday . The 22-year old looks up in dismay as her sled careers toward the finish line without her on board . Skeleton slider Nikitina bares all as she poses for a photoshoot back home in Russia .
Elena Nikitina had the start from hell in her first World Championship run . Russian skeleton slider completely missed her sled at the top of the course . Great Britain 's Lizzie Yarnold leads the way after Euro 2008 of competing .