More British athletes head to Vancouver
Friday January 29, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

With further announcements on Thursday and Friday the full Team GB has now been named across all the various disciplines.

“Team GB is now complete with 52 athletes selected. Some of them are already in Canada, many are leaving in the next few days but all go with a mission to achieve their “personal best”. This is the biggest team we’ve sent to an Olympic Winter Games since Albertville in 1992, and we are ready to take on the world,” says Andy Hunt, the chef de mission.

Sarah Sauvey will be carrying the flag in the women's ski cross where they battle it out together down a course with jumps and tight corners.

Sharp elbows are also needed in places.

"This selection means the world to me after many years of hard work and perseverance. A top result at the Olympics would be the pinnacle of success for me, but competing at the Olympic Winter Games is a dream achievement in itself," says Sauvey.

Sharpen those elbows

For news of the other skiers and snowboarders see this story from earlier in the week when the team was announced.

There is comprehensive coverage with reactions from many of the athletes and an assessment of their chances.

In the men's bob sleigh team it is John Jackson, Henry Nwume, Dan Money, Allyn Condon who will carry the country's hopes.

"Bobsleigh is one of the great events at the Olympic Winter Games and it's always had a place in the hearts of many British sports fans. We've got a very talented driver in John Jackson and he's a got a team around him who combine the pace, power and skill that you need in this sport. I'm sure they'll deliver the sort of strong and committed performance that fans will enjoy," says Andy Hunt, the Team GB Chef de Mission.

And he added his good luck to Sauvey.

"Ski cross is, of course, a newer addition to the winter sport calendar but it's a fantastically exciting sport requiring a huge amount of skill and determination, and we wish Sarah the very best of luck."

On Friday morning the final team members were announced with those in the skeleton bobsleigh team.

They are Kristan Bromley and Adam Pengilly for the men's event, with Shelley Rudman and Amy Williams in the women's competition.  Bromely and Rudman are realistic medal contenders.

Rudman won Britain's only medal in the last Olympics.

“I have very special memories of the Olympic Winter Games, and the silver medal I won in Turin four years ago was the greatest moment I’ve had in sport. But my appetite to succeed remains as strong as ever, and I’m going to Whistler hoping that it all comes together and that luck is on my side," says Rudman.

“My form this season has been good, and I’ve been a regular visitor to the podium. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum and focus it at exactly the right time.”

“Team GB has a fantastic record in skeleton, and these names really do inspire anybody who loves Olympic sport. We have four truly world-class athletes here including, of course, Shelley Rudman who won our only medal at the last Olympic Winter Games. They reflect exactly what it takes to get to the top of sport – talent, dedication, energy, focus and competitive spirit. I am sure each of them will rise to the occasion on the biggest stage of all," adds Andy Hunt, Chef de Mission.

To follow news of how the team gets on keep checking on PlanetSKI and visit Team GB's official web site.

Here at PlanetSKI we wish all of them the very best of luck.

Bookmark this page

Related Articles