Georgina Cohen - Skeleton Athlete

An Olympic dream - let's make history
My goal is to become the first-ever female Israeli skeleton athlete to qualify for the Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022. I would like to invite you to come headfirst with me on this journey. 

Watch the video to see the World Championships run!

World Championships 2019
In November 2018, I made my international debut for Bobsleigh Skeleton Israel Olympic Federation in Austria as the first female Israeli skeleton athlete to compete in the European Cup.

During the 2018/19 season, I became Israel’s first female athlete to qualify and compete at the BMW IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Championships in Whistler, home to the world’s fastest track reaching speeds of 130+kph, on 7-8 March 2019. The World Championships race is the pinnacle skeleton event of the skeleton season, second only to the Olympics, and coincided with International Women’s Day 2019.

In February, I won a gold medal in the British Columbia Cup race. I competed and trained whilst maintaining a full-time job at Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. In May 2019, I won the award for "Inspirational Performance" at the Cambridge United Community Trust awards.

Funding
Excuse the chutzpah but I'm looking for your help. To date, I have been self-funded. If this dream of representing Israel at the Winter Olympics in Beijing is to come true I will need to secure financial backing. It will enable me to afford the right support, equipment, the ability to dedicate as a full-time athlete and to invest in competitive advantages, such as equipment, new technologies and private coaching.

Currently, the Israeli skeleton programme is not funded, and I have invested everything financially and physically into achieving this superb dream. It has become clear that in order to fulfil my goal, I need to commit as a full-time athlete. In July 2019, I took the leap and finished my career at  Cambridge Judge Business School, so it is more important than ever that I achieve this funding target to get on ice and enable a strong second season. 

We don't have an ice track in Israel where my training is based, which means I need to travel abroad to train and race during the 2019/20 calendar. This funding would go towards track time and training, race entry fees, a new suit (£500) travel, accommodation, coaching, kit, insurance, strength & fitness preparation, car rental, and subsistence. Last season, I fully invested in myself, including the purchase of a new sled (~£6000), maintained a full-time job while I trained and competed - and I have now reached the limits of my personal financial resources.

Listen to my interview on the Women Making Waves podcast  > 

Aliyah
The Hebrew word Aliyah, literally translated is, "the act of going up." Following in the footsteps of AJ Edelman, the first Israeli skeleton athlete to compete at the Olympic Games, with your help, together we have a chance to make our own little bit of history. I grew up as a Jewish girl in the legendary University town of Cambridge, UK - nicknamed the "Silicon Fen." I have proudly made Aliyah and aim to be the first female to "go up" and represent Israel in the sport of skeleton on the world stage. Over the next four years, I will compete for a spot at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. 

Read "Georgie Cohen to be history-maker for Israeli sport at BMW IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Championships" in the Cambridge Independent  > 

Read "Israel Skeleton star Cohen targets Beijing Olympics" featured in the JC  > 

What is the sport of skeleton?
Skeleton is an adrenaline-fuelled sport. Described as Formula 1 on ice - think Cool Runnings! But instead of using a bobsleigh, you run as fast as you can for 30 metres, jump onto a "tea tray" and then slide headfirst. Navigating your way down an icy track, reaching speeds of 85mph with no brakes and experiencing up to 5G pressures around corners, it's a tough mental and physical challenge.  

The big dream
Competing at the Olympics representing Israel is my big dream and with the right amount of hard work, dedication and passion, I believe have the potential to qualify to be there in 2022. Getting as much training time on the ice this year is key. This sum will enable me to get on the ice and compete throughout the 2019-2020 season, getting a running (or sliding!) start in this Olympic cycle.

Let's go sliding! 

Follow me on Instagram: @georgiepics 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georginacohenskeleton/ 
Website: https://www.bobsleighskeletonisrael.com/ 
If you are looking for company sponsorship opportunities, please contact me directly. Bobsleigh Skeleton Israel (BSI) is a registered Amutah in Israel & a 501c(3) non-profit in the USA, so donations are tax deductible.