Day 1 of Official Practice

With a maximum temperature of 12 degrees centigrade, the refrigeration plant at the 1.2km long Igls Bobsleigh Track was working overtime for day 1 of official practice, Wednesday, February 22.

Three civilian teams joined the Army, Navy and Air Force teams who have been practicing at Igls since the start of the week. The civilians all elected to run from the ?Damen Start?, which leads into turn 5. The fastest bob was that of the father and son team of Mark and Paul Carter, with novice Jason Absalom an impressive second fastest, followed by third fastest Graham Smith.

Of the Forces teams that ran from the top, the Army came out best, with John Hillman of 3 Para recording 111.6kph (67 mph). Neil Scarisbrick, fresh from an excellent 9th place in the 4-Man World Championships in St Moritz, was second fastest.

Angie Collins crashed at the exit of turn 7, the Kreisel, a 270 degree wall of death type corner, on her first run of the day. Undeterred, Angie went on to clock 106.3 kph on her second run.

Everyone will be running from the top tomorrow, which again, promises to be another fine, warm day in the Austrian Tirol.