Olympic Bobsleigh Journey

The countdown to the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics has begun. 2018 may seem like a long time away but there are many stepping stones to climb that are very much a part of our Olympic journey. Every year we compete in a World Cup season which culminates with the World Championships: 2016 will be in Igls, Austria; 2017 in Sochi, Russia; and 2018 will be the Olympic year (In PyeongChang, South Korea).

As you may've guessed, we do not have a national home bobsleigh track (neither one of Sanka’s Push Track Championships for that matter). However, despite this, we are rapidly becoming one of the best nations in what is an obscure sport (even with our limited resources). Along with myself (the self proclaimed fastest heavyweight in all the land!), we have some of the best athletes in the world. This year I've managed to excel even my own previously high standards. I've graced both athletic and bobsleigh tracks with new personal bests and was ranked team GB’s No.1 Breakman in our last push test. I'm more determined than ever to transfer this form to the bobsleigh season.

There are nothing but positive prospects for myself and team GB Bobsleigh. I have no doubt that we will pose a constant presence on the podium. However the shade of our medal and the consistency of our success requires help and support, and this is where you come in….

Not only are there extensive physical demands to being a professional athlete but there are also financial constraints. For a lot of us there is a catch 22 with having to support ourselves (and often our families) and having to cope with the demands of a sport that requires you abroad for 5 months of the year. Whilst off season there is a little scope to balance work and training, on season this is not possible.

What I hope to gain from this is the financial flexibility that will enable me to completely devote myself to the forth coming seasons. Not only do our ice spikes (specially developed shoes used to run on ice) cost around £300, we also have to cover the costs of a burns vest, travel costs, supplements, accommodation at our training facilities in Bath, and general sport equipment costs (running spikes, gym equipment, sport clothes etc). These cost exponentially accumulate each month.

Nothing means more to me than being able to represent my country at the highest level in a capacity that I excel in. I would do my job for free if it was feasible, but I hope you can help me optimise my performance and ultimately achieve what I know we are capable of, a pretty, shinny medal!! Thank you for your time.