WINTER sportsman David Swift from Newton Abbot (pictured) got off to a shaky start in the skeleton bob world championships in Austria this morning.

Swift, 31, a sports scientist who runs an online personal training business, will have been disappointed with his first run on the sled at the Igls track where he finished 23rd.

But his second outing a few hours later was much better, moving him up to 18th overall - and into the all-important top 20 where he needs to be to qualify for the fourth and final run tomorrow.

But he needs his third run tomorrow to go well to keep him in the running.

Parents Christine and Mike were following his progress at their Orleigh Park home in Newton Abbot today.

Mrs Swift said: ‘He will be massively disappointed with the first run. He is a fast starter and the Austrian venue is a pusher’s track. He might have taken an extra step and come out of the track groove and hit the side, losing momentum.

‘But he moved up five places on his second run. We hope he’s quicker tomorrow.’

Team mate Dom Parsons fared better, lying 10th.

They both go again tomorrow with the championships ending at 2.30pm.