A SPORTY soldier kept cool as she taught youngsters one of the most dangerous winter activities.

Sergeant Donna Nevens, of Middlesbrough, went to Winterberg, Germany, to train 50 soldiers competing in the Army Novice and Junior Ice Sport Championships.

As a member of the Great Britain skeleton team, she showed the future sports stars how to hurtle head first down more than a mile of a frozen course, in an activity similar to bobsleigh riding.

Sgt Nevens, 33, who has been competing in the sport for three years, said: "I went on the Army winter ice camp, and they said I had a natural aptitude for skeleton. I went on to a selection weekend and ended up joining the Great Britain team.

"The first time I went down was very nerve-racking - probably the most nerve-racking experience I've ever had.

"Even when I was going down the run I wondered what I was doing there, but I loved it."

Sgt Nevens has been given time off her regular Army duties to focus on skeleton until the season ends in February.

She will be competing in the Army championships in January, and her next goal is to take part in the 2002 winter Olympics.