Townsville is one of the hottest places in Australia, where people barely own a jumper and the closest thing to snow is at the local ice-skating rink.
So, the winter sport of luge may seem like a peculiar choice for someone from the northern Queensland city.
But Townsville-bred athlete Alex Ferlazzo has risen to become one of the world's best in the sport and will compete at the Beijing Winter Olympics this weekend.
The 2022 Games marks Ferlazzo's third appearance for the Australian team in luge.
He discovered the adrenaline-fuelled sliding sport in 2010 after his mum had a chance meeting with a former luger at a pilates class.
"We went for a coffee afterwards with a couple of friends and she brought it up and it just took hold from there," Ferlazzo said.
It didn't take long before Ferlazzo was booked on a flight to New Zealand, where he experienced cold weather and sliding on ice for the first time.
He was hooked.
Competing away from home
The 26-year-old spends six months of his year in the heat and humidity of Townsville and the remainder competing on the world cup circuit.
As the only Australian luge athlete, he often teams up with other countries.
"I think the hardest part is the amount of time he has to spend overseas," Ms Ferlazzo said.
"He has built beautiful friendships and seen amazing parts of the world, but we do miss him."
Ferlazzo said training in the tropics for half the year wasn't without its challenges either.
"I jump on the wheeled sled and go down Mt Stuart every now and then just to keep the feeling on the luge sled," he said.
"I'm in a situation where, while I can't slide during the off season, neither can anyone else so I don't feel too disadvantaged."
He said he often gets strange reactions when he describes home.
In the sport of luge, competitors can reach speeds up to 140 kilometres per hour hurtling down an icy track lying feet first on their sled.
Psychology consultant Jo Lukins said the mental toughness required to train in such extreme climates can often help equip athletes when it comes to competition.
"North Queenslanders are resilient souls, if you think about what we endure in terms of our environment, there is no doubt we do get those extremes," Dr Lukins said.
"Resilient and mentally strong athletes aren't those who have ducked and weaved and avoided adversity, but rather they've faced it head on."
The Olympic spirit in Beijing
Ferlazzo has spent the past week adjusting to the conditions in Beijing.
"I'm feeling good. I love this track," he said.
"The Olympic village has got quite the atmosphere to it and I'm really looking forward to it."
But the lingering threat of COVID-19 has altered the vibe for athletes.
"There's not as much hustle and bustle getting around the village and at the venues," he said.
"But honestly, the Olympic spirit is still there and a lot of athletes, especially the first timers, are super excited and that's great to see."
Watching from home
Ferlazzo's family will be watching and barracking from their living room, but it hasn't dampened their anticipation.
"We are so excited, everybody is trembling with excitement really. He is doing amazing things over there and we are so proud of him," Ms Ferlazzo said.
"My heart is in my mouth the whole time he is sliding down. It's exciting and I'm just sitting there watching, saying, 'go fast, go fast, stay on the sled', that's my mantra behind the whole thing."
Ferlazzo will compete for the first time tonight (Saturday) at 9:10 Queensland time.
