In Pictures: Turning white to gold

Britain''s Rudman speeds down during the first run of the women''s skeleton competition at the FIBT Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Championships 2013 in St. Moritz

The woman on the sled to beat in Russia is Britain(***)s Shelley Rudman. She is the reigning skeleton world champion and won silver at the 2006 Winter Games. For those not acquainted with the sport, it involves flying head first down an icy tunnel at speeds up to 135 kph

In the men(***)s skeleton, it was Russia(***)s Alexander Tretiakov who claimed the 2013 World Championship title in St. Moritz. It was his first world title, which he could add to Olympic bronze from the 2010 Winter Games

The biathlon witnessed something quite remarkable in 2013 - Norwegian Tora Berger became the first biathlete to win six medals out of a possible six. They included four goals and two silver, as you can see from the pic! But can she make it a clean sweep at the 2014 Olympics, where she will be 32

Emil Hegle Svendsen upset world number one Martin Fourcade not just once, but four times at the Biathlon World Championships. Norway dominated the competition and many will be in contention for gold in Sochi, including Tarjei Boe and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen

France(***)s Tessa Worley is congratulated by fans on her homecoming after winning gold in the women(***)s giant slalom at the 2013 Ski World Championships. She defeated Slovenian Tina Maze in the race - who is currently the overall World Cup leader.

American Ted Ligerty raced in the history books when he became the first male skier in 45 years to win triple gold at the 2013 World Championships. After joining an elite group of skiers, he will be feared at the 2014 Winter Games. His golds also helped the US team regain their place at the top of the medals table

Canada''s pilot Humphries and brakewoman Valois react after winning the 2-men competition at the FIBT Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Championships 2013 in St. Moritz

And finally let(***)s not forget bobsleighing because it is a real sport, and not just the star of the movie (***)Cool Runnings(***). In the two-person women(***)s event, it was Canada(***)s Kaillie Humphries (front) and Chelsea Valois who turned white to gold at 2013 World Championships at St. Moritz. The Canadians finished ahead of the Americans and Germans

Switzerland''s team pilot Hefti and brakeman Lamparter stand beside as Germany''s pilot Friedrich and brakeman Baecker celebrate after winning the 2-men competition at the FIBT Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Championships 2013, in St. Moritz

But Germany(***)s men would not be beaten in the two-men bobsleigh competition. They finished in first and third place with Switzerland sandwiched between them. Here Germany(***)s Francesco Friedrich (2nd L) and Jannis Baecker (L) celebrate their victory

And the winter sport still rumbles on with cross-country skiing and ski jump action taking place at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships at Val Di Fiemme Cross Country stadium in Cavalese, northern Italy. That(***)s n-ice to hear!

Triple Olympic champion Marit Bjoergen has been on form at the FIS Nordic Championships. The Norwegian has won two golds and one silver in the cross country skiing - which were her 9th and 10th gold medals at world championships

France''s Chappuis jumps in the Nordic Combined Team Gundersen competition at the Nordic Ski World Championships in the northern mountain resort of Predazzo in Val di Fiemme

In the combined ski jumping and skiing event, three-time defending overall world champion Jason Lamy Chappuis came from 1 min 13 seconds back to win by just 0.2 seconds. It was his second gold of the tournament and with that kind of steely resolve, Lamy Chappuis will definitely be one to watch in Sochi