Madrid, March 3 (EFE). – The granddaughter of famous inventor Leonardo Torres Quevedo, the engineer who designed the historic Spanish airship and ferry, still works at Niagara Falls. Anna played hockey. She is now the second Spanish woman to debut at the Skeleton World Cup. Top 10 in the 2022/23 Intercontinental Cup. Ana Torres Quevedo is studying to be an air traffic controller.
Chosen by her mentor, Ander Mirampel, she represents Spain and dreams of participating in the Olympic Games in Milan in 2026. She rides the Bromley bobsleigh, which costs €8,000 and is made in the UK.
In an interview with EFE Ana Torres-Quevedo, a professional skeleton and currently the sole representative of Spain in this discipline, talks about her career, the challenges she faces and outlines the roadmap that must come together for the Winter Olympics.
Anna played hockey, until her mother, an acrobatic figure skater, encouraged her to try out for skeleton. “The main one was her idea, I suggested my brothers and I go to try the sport in Austria, after I saw on the news that they were trying to popularize it in Spain. We saw they were asking for four days of testing in Austria and I went with my older brother to try it out, but I never thought of That I would go for something else, ”says Ana Torres Quevedo.
Last month he debuted at the World Mixed Championships teaming up with Adrián Rodríguez. “Although we didn’t get the best results, the experience was unique. I find it more fun and dynamic to do it as a team, and you always have the support of your partner,” says Anna. Skeleton is an individual sport, but behind it there’s a very big team aspect, which is something I love because I come from a sport like hockey where I always like to feel supported.”
In addition to being an elite athlete, the Madrid native combines competition with training in aviation management. “I have always loved planes,” she says, “I would like to be an air traffic controller.” “I had the last year of my degree left and managed to balance it really well. This year, even though I disappeared for the whole four-month period, they gave me accommodations at the university.”
Ander Mirambel, his bodyguard
Ander Mirambel saw something different in her and chose her to represent Spain in a skeleton. “I was very surprised by my selection. I went for tests at the end of 2020 and it wasn’t until the end of 2021 when he called me to be part of the national team,” she adds. Anna explains what that means. For her: “For me it was a very big surprise, I was just expecting to give it a go. It was a pride knowing he wanted to count on me.”
Mirambel, the first Spanish Olympian in the sport and one of Ana’s coaches, is trying to take the Spanish skeleton a step further. “Last year we were only three in the squad, and this year we are already nine. Seeing the growth of the group this season is very positive. It is important that in Spain they talk about the skeleton.”
Slider: Your Essential Tool
The sled he uses is supplied by the federation, and is produced by British manufacturer Richard Bromley, brother of Kristan Bromley, the 2008 World Skeleton Championships gold medalist. “We’ve had the opportunity to travel with him this season and he has helped us a lot with the sled, blades, tools and all What you need.”
The weight of the sled along with the weight of the athlete affects the track and they have to adapt to the restrictions. The total weight cannot exceed 102 kg. “You have to play with what your body weighs and what the sled can weigh. My sled now weighs a lot and I have to keep my weight in check,” says Anna.
There are currently no facilities in Spain that allow skeletal exercise. “We usually go a week before a competition to train. If it’s a new circuit, or we have the time and budget, we try to put in more time to better prepare ourselves.”
The Supreme Council for Sports (CSD) will open the push track for the start practice on Tartan Athletics. “To train on the ice we have to keep traveling outside of Spain,” he points out.
“The start is my weak point and I try to work on strength and race technique to get the strength needed,” he says. “At CAR we have a physical trainer. I usually go two or three times a week to prepare my running technique, starts and push-ups, but the rest is all focused on the gym.”
Heading to Milan 2026
The Olympic Games in Milan in 2026 are on the mind of the athlete: “It is the dream of every athlete, for me it will be the best.” With those Olympics on the horizon, Anna still has three seasons to go. “The most important thing is consistency, keep training and competing at a good level, and stay in the standings to be able to qualify,” he explains.
“I would like to follow in the footsteps of Andre Mirambel at the Olympics,” he says. “But there are also people who are very good at competition, like Kimberly Bos from the Dutch national team. I really like how he trains and competes.”
Hulk danger
In a risky sport, where speeds close to 130 kilometers per hour are reached, mishaps often happen: “It only happened to me once, in Switzerland I hit myself after I slipped in training. They took me to the hospital to check my knee so I could compete in the The next day. It all went well, and in the end it all ended with the psychological beatings. No one likes being beaten so quickly and it can obviously affect you a lot.”
Despite it being a risky sport, he maintains that “the sensation on the sled is pure adrenaline”. Get off, and that everything depends on you. “
The granddaughter of the inventor, engineer Leonardo Torres Quevedo. At home, his family speaks of the airship as his main contribution to society. “But also the Niagara Falls Ferry. In 2016, the centenary of this event was celebrated and the whole family traveled,” Anna adds.
Lucia Gonzalez
(c) EFE Agency
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