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Link to Army Sport

 

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.
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. This season started with a training week for complete novices at Winterberg, Germany and continues with the Army Novice and Junior races and then the British Championships also in Winterberg.
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 is owed to the Pol Roger Champagne House, Services Vehicle Rental, and of course to our main sponsors Banner.

Race Programme 2009- 2010

     
 01 - 14 Nov 09  Army Ice Camp (Ex RACING ICE 1)  Lillehammer NOR
 14 - 21 Feb 09  Army Novice, Junior, & Seniors Championships (Ex RACING ICE 2)  Igls AUT
 01 - 14 Mar 10  Inter Service Championships Lillehammer NOR

For details about the British Bobsleigh Association and international results click right

Contact Information

Secretary Army Bob:  Maj Helen Carter

Telephone:  01748 872810 (Mil: 94371 2810)

Fax

Email: helscarter@aol.co.uk or hels.armybobsleigh@yahoo.co.uk