Gliding across the finish line to deafening cheers, Victoria Pendleton is remembered for taking gold at the Olympics.
And since her epic success in 2012, the Team GB hero has swapped the cycling velodrome for the racetrack as a jump jockey.
But during her third ever race she fell from her horse, and though she emerged unscathed, it made her keenly aware of how problems with her vision could hamper her performance.
The 35-year-old had struggled for years with wearing painful contact lenses, and feared one could fall out in the crucial moment before she was about to make a jump.
While falling from her bike meant a painful landing, she feared a tumble from a horse could have serious consequences and could even cost her her life.
Victoria reveals for the first time today how her new super vision could save her life. She said: 'Contact lenses are great but you can always lose one.
'On the velodrome, if I couldn't see clearly where I was going that might be the difference between me winning and losing a race.
'But it's very different on a horse when you're approaching a 4ft 6in fence at high speed - you get your timing wrong it could be a very dangerous outcome.
'In all honesty, it could be fatal.'
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