JOHN Jackson admits he is still getting to grips with the demanding course at the Whistler Sliding Centre as he prepares for his second outing at the Winter Olympics.

Bobsleigh pilot Jackson – from Barnard Castle – has spent the past three days tirelessly trying to master the infamous course during the four-man training in a bid to forget his two-man disaster.

Jackson last weekend suffered a crash on the opening night of the two-man alongside brakeman Dan Money after losing control at turn 11 and rolling down the course.

And while Jackson insists that he hasn’t been mentally affected by the crash he admits that he is finding the course more challenging than he thought ahead of tonight’s opening four-man runs.

“We have made steady progress throughout training – things didn’t start great but we have since improved,” said Jackson.

“There have been changes made to the track but that are only small. At heart it is still a really challenging track and I don’t think there will be any changing that.

“It is tough and I used the training runs to look for areas where I could make changes and improve.

“The stretch through corners 11, 12 and 13 still need a little bit more work – but I know the other teams have issues as well – and I am happy with the progress we have made.”

Jackson will join forces with Money again tonight in addition to Heineken Cup winner Henry Nwume and Allyn Condon who will become Britain’s first summer and Winter Olympian for eight years.

The British crew were only thrown together as a four last month and Jackson believes that will be a help and not a hindrance over the next two days.

“The start is one of the most important elements and being new to each other competitively we have had to work on that,” he added. “But we are working well as a team and have learnt something about the course and each other during every run we have done so far.”

“We started training a bit slowly but have improved and it has been all about looking for limits and learning how best to manage the track.”

■ Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to Vancouver 2010. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012