unexpected spin-off benefit for Patrick Singleton -- extra confidence.

On his final training run for last week's World Cup event in Japan, Singleton touched the wall of the track when travelling at around 80 mph.

Singleton took up the story. "My foot came up off the sled and I saw a Japanese cameraman standing on the retaining wall,'' he said.

"He was leaning over the track. He didn't react at all as I went towards him, he just stood there.

"I've seen a video of the crash and the footage is spectacular. I hit him on the hand and the camera just explodes.

"I couldn't feel my foot for a long time and I had to go to hospital for X-rays before they would clear me to race the next day. But I was OK, there was just bruising and stiffness.'' High-speed crashes are part of Singleton's sport, but it is very rare other people are involved. And the luger, who had already qualified and had to race the following morning, admitted it had shaken him up mentally.

"Obviously, that was a bit unsettling,'' said Singleton. "After a crash. I generally take the next day off, but on this occasion I had no time.

"Considering the crash, I feel I did quite well. I finished about 25th on my second run.

"Now I feel very strong. Mentally having got over that crash in Nagano has given me a shot of confidence. It's a rare occurrence and it can shake you.'' The crash left Singleton's sled damaged. New race sleds have to be custom-built and Singleton, together with his coach from the Federation Internationale de Luge team, had to repair the wrecked wooden runners themselves.

Singleton felt there might be a few more crashes on the qick Salt Lake track today.

"The track is giving everyone a new set of problems we've never had before,'' said the 26-year-old Bloomberg TV producer.

"If you get it wrong at the top of the track, you get nervous and tight and you're not as smooth as you should be at the bottom.

"You have to remain relaxed to maintain top speed.''