THE family of an Olympic athlete from Islington have told of their “pride” as she ­prepares to hurtle down a track at 140km/h in search of the gold medal.

Tabby Stoecker, from Highgate, will take to the ice in Milan this weekend for the skeleton event, and is one of the bookies’ favourites for a podium finish.

The event sees racers reach up to 140kmh while riding face down on a sled, with their faces held just five centimetres from the ice.

“The energy is just electric”, her sister Paloma Stoecker – pictured above, with Tabby and mum Alison – told the Tribune after touching down in Italy.

“We’re really rooting for gold, she has put the work in and grown every single season and she really is a contender”.

It has been quite the journey for Ms Stoecker, who only took up the sport six years ago, after being spotted at a TeamGB recruitment event.

Out of 10,000 applicants, the budding athlete was identified as one of the most promising, and was brought down to Bath – which hosts the only track in country – to continue training.

Her entire family were surprised that the then-university student had decided to reorientate her future towards becoming a professional winter sports athlete.

“Tabby had never tried skeleton, she probably didn’t even know was it was”, said Paloma.

“She was so academic her entire life growing up. Going from wanting to be a neurosurgeon to diving head-first down an ice slope is quite a 180. We were all in shock”.

Olympian Tabby Stoecker with sister Paloma

She added: “When she first started out it was so petrifying, scary, the first few years watching her do it made me feel sick”.

Save a handful of ski trips before turning eight, Tabby had never had an affinity with ice or snow.

Her first memories of sport were when her mum Alison, who is currently standing as an independent candidate for Hillrise in the local elections, took her to gymnastics in Talacre gardens. From there, she went to the National Centre for Circus Arts in Old Street, where the big aspiration was to be in Cirque de Soleil.

It was only in lockdown, whilst at university in Cardiff, that Ms Stoecker saw the recruitment event being advertised and decided to sign up for the day.

“Her being in lockdown, she thought: why not? and thank God because it has taken her on this fantastic journey”, said Paloma.

“It speaks a lot to her courage and her character to take that leap of faith and try something new.

“She goes into it with her whole heart, and it’s just beautiful to see her do something to this incredible level.”

Dozens of friends and family are now preparing to cheer from the sidelines as Ms Stoecker competes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the single and mixed-doubles events.

She has recently brought home bronze in the World Championships, as well as a silver in the European Championships, and is know for her fast “push” – the run-up before the athlete leaps onto the sled.

“It’s ironic because if you see her running standing up, she’s like Phoebe from friends, but bending over and pushing a sled, she’s like Usain Bolt”, joked Paloma.

She added: “If she gives it her best, then she is definitely coming away with a medal. We’re so proud of her. She’s ready. Go Tabby!”