The 28-year-old, who shot to stardom after claiming Britain's only gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, missed the early part of the season, saying a string of media engagements, visits and functions had left her physically and mentally "shattered".

But Williams, one of the favourites to land the 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award on Sunday (December 19), is now back in training at the University of Bath and will return for the fourth round of the World Cup series.

"I've made the decision not to slide until January, mostly because I'm not psychologically, mentally and physically ready," she said.

"I've been talking with my coaches and my performance director (Andi Schmid) and they realise I've been busy with media stuff - actually promoting the sport - and that I needed some more time out.

"I'm feeling different now.

"I didn't think I was going to go and get that medal in Vancouver, so it is a case of re-evaluating it and finding reasons to keep doing the sport.

"I'm quite confident that after this season of chilling out a bit I will start to build it back up again."

Williams admitted she may be in no shape to challenge for podium places.


"It does feel really odd that everybody else is starting the season and I'm not," she said.

"I'm half wishing I was out there doing it, but the other half knows I needed more time out because I was so shattered.

"I've stopped doing so much media stuff in the last month before I compete.

"There are just four races after Igls and then the World Championships [in Koenigssee, Germany] but I might not have a high enough ranking to qualify for that.

"Everybody will suddenly be expecting amazing results from me but my first runs on ice will be in a World Cup race and I won't have prepared to anywhere near the same level as I have done in the last few years.

"I'm prepared not to get the same kind of results, but it is the only time in the four-year Olympic cycle that you can have a relaxing year."

Despite reaching the pinnacle of her sport, Williams said she still has goals.

"I've still got aims and if I had [not come back at some point this season] I might never have come back," she explained.

"I've never won a World Cup race or a World Championship so there's plenty to target.

"I've still got a lot to give.

"I'm not done yet."

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