Europa Cup 4 Man Bobsleigh Race

The Europa Cup 4 man bobsleigh season continued in Konigssee, Germany with 26 crews starting the 2 heat race. 25 crews were ranked as the Czech II sled did not start the second run. Four British sleds were entered into the Race with 2 of these finishing in the top 11. The GB1 sled driven by Royal Tank Regiment soldier, Neil Scarisbrick finished in 7th place overall. His crew consisted of Steve Smith, Alan Condon and John Hughes. The GB1 sled had a start time in the first run of 5.03 seconds. This was the equal 9th fastest start in the first heat. Neil drove the sled down the 1188 metre track and crossed the finish line in 50.37 seconds. This placed the GB1 sled in 10th position after the first run. Neil and his crew had a much better start time in the second run with a time of 5.00 seconds (9th fastest) and Neil had a great drive down the track and he finished his second run in 50.08 second. This was the 8th fastest run of the second heat and it moved him up to 7th position overall with a combined time of 1 minute 40.45 seconds. This was 0.47 seconds behind the eventual winner, the Germany I sled.

The GB2 sled piloted by Royal Marine Martin Wright, with his crew of Glenn Kerr, Matthew Roberts and Ryan Freckleton had a first run start time of 5.07 seconds. This was only the 15th fastest start. However, Martin had a sound drive down the track and finished the run in 50.47 seconds which placed him in 11th position after the first run. In the second heat, the crew improved upon their start time and pushed the sled in 5.03 seconds. This was the equal 12th fastest start. Martin had an even better run than the first heat and finished in 50.19 seconds (11th fastest time). His two consistent runs gave him a combined time of 1 minute 40.66 seconds which the GB2 sled in 11th position overall. This has been yet another good performance by the British team. Neil Scarisbrick is currently lying in 6th place in the Europa Cup 4 Man Individual Standings and Martin Wright is lying in 14th position with only one race to go before the Christmas break.

The British teams now move onto Cesana in Italy, home of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, where they will race in the 4 man next weekend.