British Bobsleigh Train with World Elite in Dallas

Claire Howe — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:21:19 +0000

Members of the British Bobsleigh team will travel to the Michael Johnson Performance Centre in Mckinney, Dallas Texas to begin pre season training later this week for 10 days.
The centre owned by 4-time Olympic Gold medallist Michael Johnson, boasts state of the art facilities and world class coaches that will enable the team to ensure that they are physically prepared for the new 2011- 12 season.
British Bobsleigh Performance Director Gary Anderson states: “As a sport we need to ensure we take a no compromise approach to our preparation for the forthcoming world cup season and ultimately to Sochi in 2014. All our top athletes have bought into our vision and we must now ensure that we expose them to the best possible coaches and facilities available. Our pre-season camp in 2011 was always going to have to set the scene and we could think of no better facility to partner with, than the Michael Johnson Performance Centre. As part of our programme and education we want to expose our athletes to many different aspects of performance and look at what competitors from other sports are doing to stay at the top of their game. Together with the coaches at the MJP our coaching team have designed programs that will enhance speed, force development, strength and power; specific to Bobsleigh. The facilities at the MJP Centre are world-class and supported by coaches who have worked with the best – ‘dynasty winners”; athletes who have topped the podium over and over again. These are the people with which we must associate ourselves “.
World Junior Bobsleigh Champion, Paula Walker is looking forward to going to the centre. She says: “I’m very excited to go to the Michael Johnson Performance Centre. It will give us an opportunity to focus on power force development under the supervision of top quality coaches, in an environment where we are totally focused as a team”
Europa Cup Gold medallist, John Jackson is also excited about the training camp. He says: “It’s such a great opportunity for us to be able to work in a top level performance centre like this and I can’t wait for us to go!”
Communications Director of British Bobsleigh, Manny Cohen says: “This 10 day camp will enable the team to be the best physically prepared for the new season and with only 2 more left before the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, it is essential that we do everything in our power to ensure that we reach the podium.”
Facilities at the Michael Johnson centre include a 6,000 sq foot indoor synthetic turf training field, a four lane indoor track, Nike SST sport vision training lab and full medical support.

Knighthood for British Bobsleigh Chairman

Claire Howe — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:10:52 +0000

British Bobsleigh’s Chairman and Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway has been knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Sir Andrew, who is approaching the end of his 5 year spell as Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor was honoured to be recognised for his services to the UK and Jersey.

“This knighthood was a wonderful surprise and I am very honoured to be recognised by her Majesty in this way. The role of Lieutenant-Governor is very much a team game and my wife Valerie has played a huge part in it, as a result of my honour she becomes Lady Ridgway and I think that is only right and just. We have enjoyed our 5 years in Jersey immensely and the knighthood marks a perfect end to our time here.”

Sir Andrew’s last act as Jersey’s Lieutenant-Governor will be presenting trophies at the Island’s first international bobsleigh push start championships on 24^th to 26^th June 2011. The competition will see many elite national bobsleigh teams competing including the British Team which includes the World Junior Champion, Paula Walker. There will also be an opportunity for amateurs and local athletes to compete.

Once he steps down from his role as Jersey’s Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Andrew will continue as Chairman of British Bobsleigh and will aim to steer the British National team towards a podium position at the Winter Olympic Games at Sochi in 2014. He has been involved with the sport since the 1970s when his regiment, The Royal Tank Regiment dominated the British Team. In 1998 he was invited to take over as Chairman of Army Bobsleigh. The administration of the sport then merged with Army Skeleton and Luge. He then became the first director of Army Ice Sports.

Bobsleigh World Champion Nicola Minichiello retires from sport

Claire Howe — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:47:51 +0000

After much soul searching, World Champion Driver Nicola Minichiello will be retiring from Bobsleigh after helping to put Britain back in the forefront of the sport. Nicola who won the 2009-10 World Championship will be taking up a role with the International Bobsleigh Federation (FIBT) as their Head Development Coach, working with the international youth programme.
Nicola Minichiello says: “Throughout my 10 year career in bobsleigh I’ve experienced many achievements. However, becoming World Champion was truly the highlight. During this time I’m delighted to have worked with so many great individuals, organisations and sponsors, to all of you and to my family, fans and supporters, thank you. “
Nicola’s titles and accolades are extensive, she has been the British number one driver for the past 9 years, and competed in the last three Winter Olympic Games. In the 2005 World Championships Nicola created history by winning a silver medal, however she went one step further in 2009 winning Gold and becoming Britain’s first female World Champion. She is widely recognised throughout the world as the most successful British Bobsleigh athlete of the modern era.
British Bobsleigh Chairman, Andrew Ridgway says: “We wish Nicola well and would like to thank her for all her hard work over the years. Her 2009 World Championship title helped to put Britain back on the map for Bobsleigh and also inspired a new generation of athletes. We will now look to other athletes, including World Junior Champion Paula Walker and those coming through our talent ID programme to ensure that Britain continues to be a major force in world bobsleigh.”

Communications Director of British Bobsleigh, Manny Cohen says: “British Bobsleigh is grateful for everything that Nicola has done for the sport. The future is bright for British Bobsleigh especially under our performance Director Gary Anderson who is building our new team in preparation for bringing back a medal at Sochi 2014.”

Preparations for Sochi 2014 have continued with the appointment of former bobsleigh athlete Chris Woolley as Performance Manager. Woolley, who was part of the 4 man crew at this year’s World Championships, will bring to the role a wealth of knowledge in athlete preparation and the science underpinning performance that will be vital to the team.

British Bobsleigh will also continue to host talent identification and talent transfer days that are designed to fast track athletes from other sports to bobsleigh at the University of Bath. Athletes that previously tested and are now part of the programme include Double Olympic sprinter Paul Brizzel, Scottish 60m indoors Champion Stu Benson and Commonwealth sprint Champion Katherine Endacott.

Athletes will return to training this week after a short break with the women’s team on full funding and plans to spend a large amount of time on ice prior to the season starting in November.

British Bobsleigh begins search for future Olympians

Claire Howe — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:28:33 +0000

British Bobsleigh recently held the first of its talent identification and talent transfer days at the University of Bath in a bid to find future Olympians as part of its mission to bring back a medal at Sochi 2014.
The day was attended by 50 prospective athletes from others sports including sprinter Emma Ania who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and hammer thrower Samantha Hynes. All athletes that attended the day were put through various rigorous performance tests to identify who could progress onto becoming potential world class bobsleigh athletes and Olympic medalli

British Bobsleigh finish 4th in Team Race at World Championships!

Claire Howe — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:52:32 +0000

Members of the Britannia Rescue British Bobsleigh Team finished 4^th in the team race at the World Championships in Konigssee, Germany. World Junior Champions Paula Walker and Rebekah Wilson, Europa Cup gold medallist John Jackson and his brakeman Bruce Tasker teamed up with Skeleton pair Shelly Rudman and Kristan Bromley to take 4^th place in the event that was dominated by the host nation‘s teams who took gold and silver with the Canadians taking the bronze. In the individual events, the women’s GBR 1 team Paula Walker and Rebekah Wilson finished 13^th while the GBR 2 team, Fiona Harrison and Gillian Cooke came 21^st. The men’s GBR 1 team John Jackson and Bruce Tasker finished 20^th and the GBR 2 team Lamin Deen and Rich Sharman came 26^th.
Paula Walker said after her races: “I am really pleased with my results. Obviously it would have been nice to get on the podium again after my success at the Junior World Championships but I have had a great season, exceeding all of my performance targets. Next season I know my targets will be higher but I know that I will rise to the challenge, as I always try my best.”

British Bobsleigh performance director Gary Anderson said the team is making progress towards Sochi 2014. He said: “Our successes earlier this year including consistent top 10 finishes in the World and Europa Cup as well as winning the World Junior title has led to a degree of expectation every time we compete. I am never going to be satisfied when we are not on the podium but this is about a processing towards Sochi. The athletes know they are capable of better finishing positions than they achieved this weekend but we know now what to work on and our new programme kicks in from April this year.”

The 4 man event will take place on Saturday 26^th February. Driver John Jackson will lead the team with brakemen Bruce Tasker, Dave Smith and Chris Woolley.

Britain wins World Junior Bobsleigh Title

Claire Howe — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:41:56 +0000

British No.1 bobsleigh driver Paula Walker won the Junior World Championships at the Park City track in Utah, USA yesterday.
Paula Walker aided by Rebekah Wilson piloted her sled to the finish with a combined time of 1:39.78. US Olympic bronze medallist Elana Meyers came 2^nd while Stefanie Szczurke from Germany finished 3^rd.
Corporal Paula Walker who nearly pulled out of the competition because her dad was in hospital said:

“I’m ecstatic with this result. We have been aiming for this competition since the summer and to finally see the union flag rise as No.1 is brilliant. This has always been a dream of mine and I couldn’t have done it without my coach Pete Gunn, Gary Anderson the performance director and the rest of British Bobsleigh who made this all possible. I also wouldn’t have achieved this without the support of my family and my partner John Jackson. This result also means a lot to me personally as it was a difficult decision to make to leave my family with my father being so ill back at home.”

British Bobsleigh performance director Gary Anderson praised the team he said: “This was our target event for the women’s squad. It was an emphatic victory and shows the potential we have. We have exceeded our performance targets in year 1 of this Olympic cycle. That means we now re-evaluate and set our targets even higher. I am delighted for Paula and Rebekah, they know now that these standards must continue and have proved they are capable, this was a very strong championships with a number of crews achieving top 6 places in the senior World Cup.“
The men’s junior team, driver Will Golder and brakeman Kevan Crowell finished 12^th in their race at the Park City track on Saturday 5^th February.
The Britannia Rescue British Bobsleigh teams will now move to Konigssee, Germany for the World Championships taking place on 18^th February 2011.
Paula Walker’s team for this event will be brakewomen Rebekah Wilson and Kelly Thomas.
Looking ahead to the event, Paula Walker said: “Konigssee is a difficult track for me but I am confident in my ability to learn and I know my team Rebekah Wilson and Kelly Thomas are on top form. Along with the advice of my coach Pete Gunn I’m sure we can get another credible result.”
The women’s GBR 2 team that will also compete at the World Championships includes driver Fiona Harrison with brakewomen Gillian Cooke and Victoria Olaoye.

Athletes that have been selected for the men’s team are driver John Jackson with brakemen Dan Money and Bruce Taker. John Jackson and Dan Money were the 1^st British men ever to win Gold in the Europa Cup competition last month. The GBR 2 team will be Lamin Deen and brakeman Rich Sharman.
Dave Smith and Chris Woolley will join John Jackson, Dan Money and Bruce Tasker for the 4 man event.

Record Medal Haul For British Bobsleighers in St Moritz!

Claire Howe — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:06:37 +0000

Olympic bobsleigh finalist John Jackson completed a record breaking week for the sport by adding 2 bronze medals to his gold during the Europa Cup in St Moritz at the weekend.

British No.1 driver John Jackson who won the first ever gold for the Britannia Rescue British Bobsleigh team with brakeman Dan Money in the 2 man event earlier this week also made the podium in both of the 4 man races on Saturday and Sunday.

Aided by brakemen Dave FJ Smith, Bruce Tasker and Chris Woolley, John clinched 2 bronze medals from both races in the 4 man which were won by the German and Latvian teams.

Speaking afterwards John Jackson said: “Going into these races we were pretty confident that we could get a good result in St Moritz and I am really happy to have made the podium 3 times this week. It is a huge achievement for us and shows that we are on the right track for even more success this season.”
British Bobsleigh performance director Gary Anderson was full of praise for the Britannia Rescue British Bobsleigh team he said: “It was always our intention to target these races; this was highlighted at our pre-season planning meetings where the objective was to get a podium finish. It was thought for a number of factors that St Moritz would offer us the best opportunity to do just that. Coach Lee Johnston knows the environment and conditions at St Moritz which provided vital intelligence for us. Jackson and his crew which included our newest recruit, Bruce Tasker who comes from athletics to Bobsleigh, prepared well, got the sled set up right and produced outstanding performances. It is my intention to get the men’s programme into a position where it attracts investment from the funding agencies, performances like these illustrate that we can be competitive and with 3 years to go until Sochi 2014, we can get the men’s programme up to medal zone. I am delighted with these results and this now must become a regular occurrence.”

In the women’s 2 bob Europa Cup races on Saturday, driver Fiona Harrison and brakewoman Victoria Olaoye achieved the fastest push of the race to take 6th place. While Kerry Morgan with brakewoman Faye Pittman took take 10^th place and Gillian Cooke with Kelly Denyer finished 11^th.

PR, marketing and sponsorship director of British Bobsleigh Manny Cohen said on the team’s achievements this season: “The British invented the sport and as a non ice nation it is great to see both the men’s and women’s teams producing great results in the Europa and World Cup. We still have a long way to go until Sochi 2014 but we will do everything in our power to ensure that we can become a force to be reckoned with in the sport of bobsleigh.”

Corporal Jackson who serves with the Royal Marines Commandos will next race in the World Cup in St Moritz later this week.

The Army’s Corporal Paula Walker who missed her World Cup race in Winterberg on Friday to be with her father who is critically ill in hospital will next compete in the World Junior Championships with her crew of Kelly Denyer and Rebekah Wilson in Park City , Utah which takes place on 31^st January – 6^th February 2011 along with the men’s junior squad Will Golder, Kevan Crowell and Chris Williams.

British Bobsleigher John Jackson takes gold at Europa Cup in St Moritz!

Claire Howe — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:12:54 +0000

British No.1 Bobsleigh driver John Jackson clamied Gold with brakeman Dan Money at the Europa Cup in Moritz today!

British Bobsleigh Team on right track for success at Sochi 2014

Claire Howe — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:37:20 +0000

Recently appointed British Bobsleigh performance director Gary Anderson believes that the team is on the right track for success as they begin the 2^nd half of the season when the World Cup moves to Igls, Austria.
Gary, who has experience of working with both summer and winter Olympic sports says: “I truly believe that Bobsleigh has the potential to be a gold medal winning sport at Sochi 2014. Having worked in Performance Sport in a number of roles I am really keen to win an Olympic gold medal. I have the pleasure of working with World Champions, European Champions, Commonwealth Champions and soon, I hope, an Olympic Champion! I would swap all the other medals and titles for any Olympic medal. In Great Britain we have athletes of the right physicality, to achieve this we need to have in place a structure and programme that attracts these athletes and then being able to sustain it through the Olympic Cycle, and that’s where I come in.”

“The future of British Bobsleigh is very much in our own hands. The new board is full of very experienced personnel who have the skills to ensure that the governance is world-class. This then underpins the whole operational side, including performance, so I am really happy to have their support.” Gary adds.

Gary Anderson is also looking forward to seeing how the new talent in the team performs as Commonwealth Games medallist Katherine Endacott has been selected into the squad. The sprinter will continue to compete in Athletics and Bobsleigh in the winter months. She is part of British Bobsleigh’s long term Olympic plan.

Gary says: “It is my job to ensure we have the right support structures in place to retain the talent and allow them to develop appropriately. The pinnacle in any sporting year is the major championships so I have to say I am looking forward to the World Championships, the seniors in Germany and Junior in Park City, USA. Competing against the best in the world at a major competition is the real test in any sport.”

British No.1 driver Paula Walker who is now ranked 8^th in the world has met the performance team’s targets with consistent top 10 finishes in the World Cup is hoping to continue this success when she competes on 14^th January with brakewomen Kelly Thomas and Rebekah Wilson.
She will also be competing in the World Juniors where she will be aiming for a podium finish.

Olympic finalist John Jackson will also be hoping to mirror his consistent performances in the America’s and Europa Cup when he drives in his 1^st World Cup race of the season for the 2 man and 4 man on 15^th and 16^th January.
Gary Anderson will be interviewed during the men’s 2 bob race on British Eurosport 2 with co commentator 2009 World Champion Nicola Minichiello on Saturday 15^th January.

BRITISH NO.1 DRIVER NOW RANKED 8TH IN WORLD

Claire Howe — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:00:26 +0000

Following 4 top 10 finishes in the World Cup this season, British No.1 Bobsleigh Driver Paula Walker is now ranked joint 8^th in the world.

Paula Walker aided by brakewomen Kelly Thomas and Rebekah Wilson completed the 1^st half of the season with 10^th place in both the 3^rd and 4^th races of the World Cup in Lake Placid at the weekend. Both races in the World Cup took place in Lake Placid after the scheduled one in Park City was cancelled the previous week due to poor weather conditions. They were both won by German duo Sandra Kiriasis and Stephanie Schneider.
Paula Walker who was ranked 15^th at the beginning of the season is now feeling very confident going in the next half of the season although she admits there is no added pressure on her to perform.
She says: “I’m very much a person who expects a lot from myself, so in terms of goals and pressure nothing has changed. We have demonstrated a great trend with our results going from 35th, 21st, 15th to 11th in the Olympics and now consistent top 10s. So the future is looking very bright!”

British Bobsleigh Performance Director Gary Anderson is also very pleased with Paula’s consistent top 10 finishes so far. He said: “As our performance target for the whole season was a Top 12 FIBT ranking and two top 10 finishes, now that we have achieved a 8th place ranking in the world and 4 top 10 finishes in World Cup half way through the season, it is very satisfying.”
Looking ahead to the next half of the season he says: “We are constantly reviewing our targets and we know exactly where we need to be on our performance plan to reach our ultimate goal of an Olympic gold medal in Sochi 2014. We are constantly seeking the performance edge. Our next milestone event is the World Junior Championships in February where we are targeted for a top 4 finish, if we targeted for a top 4 we might as well say that’s a podium place needed so that’s the target.”
Corporal Paula Walker who was also recently awarded the British Army’s Sportswoman of the year 2010 will next race in the New Year as the World Cup moves to Igls, Austria on 10^th – 16^th January 2011.