BBA NEWS

January 2007

ANNOUNCEMENT: British Bobsleigh is coming to a television screen near you!
What a great start to 2007, bobsleigh is returning to our screens for two Slide Sunday programmes on February 11th and 18th.

The programmes, which are being shown on Channel 4 at 8am, will include a half hour slot showing highlights of the World Championships, as well as a one-hour show on February 18th.

Chairman of the British Bobsleigh Association, Peter Shakeshaft, said: "We've had to be creative about raising funds for this , but believe that it is such a major step forward that it was worth doing."

He added: " Channel 4 have already indicated that they may be interested in taking highlights for all World Cup races for next season if this goes well."  

"This is a great chance to really push our sponsorship opportunities."

Keep an eye on the website for more updates on this.

Keeping you up to date with the latest race reports, comments and details of the forthcoming British Championships in Igls, Austria.

You can also stay informed and in touch with the team at the Great British Bobsleigh team website at http://www.bobteamgb.org

Both teams have been producing competitive results in recent races in Konigssee, Cesana and Igls. Including 5 second start times at the challenging 19 corner track at Cesana and top ten finishes for both the men.s and women.s teams.

Latest News
Well done to Jackie Davies who has come 2nd overall in the Europa Cup Rankings at the end of the Europa Cup Season.

This is a fantastic result considering that this is her first full season back in the driving seat.

Full results to follow soon..

  Race Reports

Europa Mens 2 Man - Igls
The initial Europa Cup 2 Man bobsleigh race of the 2006/2007 season was held in Igls, Austria with a large field of 59 crews starting the race down the 14 corner bobsleigh track.  Of the 59 crews who started, only 56 crews achieved a final ranking.  Great Britain had 5 sleds entered into the race and 2 of these achieved top 20 finishes.

Europa  Cup 4 Man - Igls
The first Europa Cup 4 Man race in Igls saw the highest placed British sled, the GB1 sled piloted by Neil Scarisbrick.  His crew consisted of Matthew Roberts, Glenn Kerr and Richard Sharman.  In the first heat they had a start time of 5.24 seconds and completed the run in 52.59 seconds.  This was good enough to place Neil and his crew in 10th position after the first run...
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Europa Cup Women.s - Igls
The women.s results in Igls saw the 5th fastest start of the first heat.  Jackie had an excellent drive down the track and had a finish time of 54.76 seconds.  This was only 0.02 seconds behind the leading Canada I sled piloted by Kaillie Simundsen.  Both Jackie and Kaillie were brakewoman last season and they have both recently moved into the front seat to pursue a driving career..
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Europa Cup 2 Man - Konigssee
The Europa Cup 2 Man bobsleigh race took place in Konigssee, Germany, with 40 teams entered into the two heat race. The British team had an excellent top ten result with Marine Martin Wright and his brakeman Dan Money. The GB1 sled finished in 6th position....
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Europa Cup 4 Man - Konigssee
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.

Europa Cup Women.s - Konigssee
The second race of the women.s Europa Cup Season took place on December 7, 2006 in Konigssee, with twenty teams entering the race. The GB1 sled was piloted by Army Corporal, Jackie Davies with her brakewoman Heather Fisher. They achieved   a start time of 5.44 seconds in their first run, which was the 3rd fastest start...
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Europa Cup 4 Man - Cesana
The final Europa Cup 4 Man bobsleigh race prior to the Christmas break was held in Cesana Pariol, Italy on December 17, 2006 and proved to be an excellent finish to the first half of the season for the British team. The British team entered 4 sleds in the 4 man race and two of these achieved a top 10 finish....
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Europa Cup 2 Man - Cesana
The Europa Cup 2 Man bobsleigh race, also at the challenging Cesana track, which consists of 19 corners and is over 1435 metres long,  produced good results for both the GB1 and GB2 sleds with start times of 5 seconds.....
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Europa Cup Women.s - Cesana
Nicola Minichiello, the GB1 driver returned to racing after a two race break, with her brakewoman Lauren Therin, to achieve equal second fastest start of the heat, at Cesana, Italy....
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Performance Director viewpoint  - Richard Simmons

The results from our 11 teams in Igls were really encouraging as the vast majority of the athletes were making their debuts in the sport. The icing on the cake was a silver medal for Jackie and Heather in their first Europa Cup race of the season but we had some good results scattered right through the programme. The Europa Cup race series moved on to Konigssee in Germany where we built on our performances.

Jackie was second to Susie Erdman on her home track by just 39/100 and beat the Canadian who defeated her the previous week. Gemma and Jenny both raced and did well to finish on a tough track - both had sleds behind them ie RUS & CZE 1

Martin and Allyn (debut) were 3rd fastest starters in both runs and 4th best downtime on run 2. Neil/Scaz and Henry (debut) had slow starts but were 9th  best on run 2 and climbed from 14 to 10. Only the Germans, Canadians and us had 2 teams in top 10. We had 4 teams inside the top Italian and Austrian teams.

World Cup Testing Comment - Dean Ward
Provisional Results - Men

The 4 Man

Considering the athletes had been on the road for some weeks prior to selection there wasn't a great change in the crews all were in great shape. We did have Karl Johnston join us for the selection and was in impressive form considering he didn't compete for the first half of the season due to work commitments with The Royal Marines. He has been provisionally selected in the second 4 Man team.

At the time of mailing the two man has not yet been decided.

Provisional Results . Women

2 Man-Women

Again, the women were also in great shape. There was only one change to the women's setup and that was Jenny Pacey, who decided to take a break from driving and contest a spot on the back of the sled. She earned a place in the team with Nicola Minichiello and Lauren Therin, pushing Joanne John out of the top 4.

The British Championships . Igls . Chairman Peter Shakeshaft
I.m delighted to announce the details of the British Championships 2007, which is being held in Igls, Austria from February 25th - 28th 2007.

The event, being sponsored this year by AON and ICE Corp, will kick off with a welcome drinks reception at the top of the Olympic Ski Jump.

This is a great start to the event, as not only can you enjoy the panoramic views over Igls in winter time, but you will also have the opportunity to mix with some of our World Championship athletes as well as meeting fellow sponsors.

For the thrill-seekers there is the chance to toboggan with specialist instruction from expert Bruce Ropner, on sledge handling.

For those who like to take life at a slower pace, you can enjoy a drink taking in the races, or sample the delights of the resort.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Peter R Shakeshaft
Chairman, British Bobsleigh Association

For more information including details for competing, accommodation, reserving dinner reservations, attendance or merchandise please contact Mary-Anne Morgan-De Gray via email at mary-anne@bobteamgb.org

Click here to download details of the British Championships.

Donations & Membership
The team needs your support. Please visit the website to join or renew your membership www.bobteamGB.org/apply2/

Athlete Profile:-

Jackie Davies

Date of Birth:  23/05/1977
Resides: Aldershot
Event: Women.s 2 Man
Position in Sled: Driver
Profession: Athlete/Army
Games Attended: 2002 - Salt Lake City & 2006 - Torino

Jackie.s primary background was within Rugby Union; she played at both Regional and Divisional level and represented the Army. She also represented the Army at Athletics in the100m and Triple Jump. Jackie began Bobsleighing in Sept 2000 and was brakewoman for the Great Britain 3rd (GB3) team. She progressed quickly and was subsequently moved to GB2 that season. The team finished 1st in the British Champs then 8th overall on World Cup circuit.

Jackie was selected for GB1 for the pre Olympic season 2001-2002 and then went on to push in the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City finishing in 11th place.