INTRODUCTION TO BOBSLEIGH
The Army’s place within international bobsleighing is well established and the Army Team has been represented in all the British Olympic Teams since 1972. It is the only winter sport in which the Army has won Olympic medals.
The toboggan has existed as a means of transport over snow and ice for several thousand years, although references to it as a form of recreational pastime only date back to the sixteenth century. Bobsleighing (Bob) is reputed to have been started by two Englishmen in St. Moritz, with local farrier Christian Mathis producing the first bobsled in 1890. The first bob races were run on the road from St. Moritz to Celerina although by 1903, what is virtually the course still used today was opened.
KEY PERSONALITIES
At the very first Winter Olympics in Chamonix in 1924, the four man Bob of Colonel Brooke, Major Broome, Major Richardson and Captain Scrutton won the Silver Medal. In the 1928 St Moritz Games Captain Dalrymple was a member of the only ever 5-man bob team.In the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics a Gold medal was won in the 2 man bob. One half of winning team was Grenadier Guards Captain Robin Dixon. Together with Tony Nash, they provided Britain’s finest moment in the sport to date. However Army bobbers have been constantly in the World Top Ten ever since and, in the Nagano Games, Corporals Sean Olsson and Dean Ward from 2 PARA were part of the bronze medal 4 man bob.
In order to achieve such sporting excellence it is necessary to introduce young servicemen and women to the sport, giving them the opportunity to have a go themselves. This is achieved through a progressive annual programme that is spread over the season and, generally, in a variety of venues. The Army Novice and Junior Championships are to be held in Igls, Austria. If the participants perform to a high standard they may be selected to represent the Army at the Inter Service Championships, this season to be held in Igls, Austria.
There is little doubt that Army Bobsleighing could not continue with its ambitious programme every year without significant support, not least financial. We have traditionally enjoyed support from within the Army as well as from outside. A special “thank you” should go to the welfare agencies, including Nuffield Trust, Army Central Funds, the Berlin Infantry Brigade Memorial Trust Fund and the Army Sports Lottery.
From outside the Army much gratitude is owed to Force Protection for their continued support.
EVENTS
Race Programme 2011 – 2012 |
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| 12-26 Nov | Army Ice Camp (Ex RACING ICE 1) | Winterberg GER |
| 29 Jan – 4 Feb | Army Championships (Ex RACING ICE 2) | Igls AUT |
| 5-11 March 2012 | Inter Service Championships | Igls AUT |
RESULTS
Results for the Army Champs are as follows:
Army Champions:
Cpl Sean Darby 2 RTR & LCpl Sean Connolly 2 RTR
Army Runners Up:
Pte Kelly Thomas AGC (SPS) & Lt Cdr Steve Beard RN
Army Novice Champions:
Pte Kelly Thomas AGC (SPS) & Lt Cdr Steve Beard RN
Army Novice Runners-Up:
OCdt Scott Freemantle SUOTC & Leading Hand Graham Humm RN
Fastest Novice Brakeman – LCpl Sean Connolly 2 RTR
The Army Championships took place in Igls, Austria between 29 Jan – 5 Feb with the temperatures between -15 to -17 degrees centigrade daily. This made for some fast ice when the snow wasn’t falling.
CONTACT DETAILS
Secretary Army Bob: Lt WE Holden LANCS
Telephone:
Mil: 94773 4443
Civilian: 01423 813443
Mobile: 07842 590363
Email: [email protected]
