By Andrew Alderson, Chief Reporter Published: 7:45AM GMT 20 Feb 2010
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Britain"s Amy Williams celebrates her gold medal victory in the women"s skeleton event Photo: REUTERS 
Great Britain"s Amy Williams during the Womens Skeleton Run three during the 2010 Winter Olympics at the Vancouver Olympic Centre, Vancouver, Canada. Photo: PA The 27-year-old, from Bath, described her triumph as "crazy" as she was crowned the "Queen of Speed" in Vancouver, Canada, after winning the womens skeleton.
"Its all a blur. I cant even remember half of it. I just came out the bottom and looked at my coach," said a clearly-emotional Williams.
Amy Williams wins GB gold Victory in sight Williams in sight of gold Amy Williams wins gold Amy Williams: how I won gold Shelley Rudman wins gold in Bob Skeleton World CupShe was watched by members of her family, including her father Ian, a professor of chemistry at Bath University, and her mother, Jan, a former midwife.
Shortly after her victory in a competition that she dominated, Williams said that she wanted to "give her mum a hug".
"Never in a million years did I think Id come here and win gold," she added. "I dont think it will sink in for weeks and weeks.
"Its amazing to do this for my country. I had nothing to lose here and I just went for it. I enjoyed every minute. Ive done everything I possibly could in the last four years to get here and to put in my best performance.
"Before the race I was okay: it was a bit weird as I was on my own in the changing room and didnt know when to go out.
"I was a bit nervous before it but I thought Ive got nothing to lose so I thought Id just go out and enjoy it and it was great."
Williams hugged team-mates and wrapped herself in a Union Flag after her win at the track in Whistler, Canada.
"Thanks to everyone at home," she said. I know everyone has been watching me, I know they are all gathered together - I want to say hello to all of you."
Ruth Williams, who is Amy"s twin sister, said of the triumph: "All she had to do was get down there, not make any mistakes and she did it, delivered it - and she got the gold. Fantastic."
She was more than half a second quicker than the rest of the field after the fourth and final heat.
She becomes Britains first gold medallist in an individual discipline at the Winter Olympics since Robin Cousins, the ice skater, who triumphed in 1980.
Williams broke her own track record on the way to Team GBs first medal of the Vancouver Games in a time of three minutes 35.64 seconds.
The athlete - whose sled is called Arthur - was competing at her first Winter Olympics. She is known affectionately by the nickname of "curly wurly" because of her frizzy hair.
She had to survive a second day of official protests - this time from Canada - over her helmet.
Rivals have claimed that ridges on the helmet gave her an illegal aerodynamic advantage, but the allegations were once again rejected by the authorities.
Williams stuck to the game plan of maintaining "a pure focus on performance", her sports psychologist said on Saturday.
Deirdre Angella, of the English Institute of Sport, said: "I am delighted for Amy that results have gone her way. It is a testament to all of the work she, her coach and support team have put in behind the scenes leading up to this point. "
Angella worked with Williams and the British skeleton team in the run-up to Vancouver to help get them relaxed and mentally fit for the Olympics.
"With Amys commitment, focus and talent she has maximised her strengths to deliver a phenomenal performance.
"Keeping controlled and focused she has allowed a pure focus on performance, trusting her own ability, the work she has done and the thrill of sliding."
Williams complained of "not really liking it" after her first go on the skeleton, but she managed to win a silver medal after entering the World Push Championships in 2002.
Last year she won a silver medal in the World Championships and another silver in the World Cup race in Whistler, Canada.
Williams achievement is all the more remarkable as Britain does not have a full skeleton track to train on, apart from a dry starting section near Bath.
