Minichiello faces more surgery

Sheffield-based Minichiello and brakeswoman Gillian Cooke, who became the first British female world champions in the sport, will be one of Team GB's biggest medal hopes in Canada next month.

Six days before Christmas, Minichiello feared she would not make it to the Whistler Sliding Centre at all after losing 80 per cent of the sight in her left eye.

"I feared my Olympic Games were over," she said.

Those immediate apprehensions were allayed after British team doctors diagnosed Minichiello was suffering from retinitis, the same condition that once afflicted Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes.

Minichiello, who drives the sled, underwent two rounds of laser surgery, which ensured she could return to the ice with Cooke and complete their Olympic qualification.

Minichiello's sight is back up to 75 per cent in her left eye but she requires one more procedure before they head to Canada.

"It was a pretty worrying time but the surgery removed 50 per cent of the fluid," added Minichiello. "That allowed us to go back on the ice and complete our qualification.

"We are world champions and that gives us confidence that on our day we can beat anybody."