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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
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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
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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Race Programme 2009- 2010 |
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| 01 - 14 Nov 09 |
Army Ice Camp (Ex RACING ICE 1) |
Lillehammer NOR |
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14 - 21 Feb 09 |
Army
Novice, Junior, & Seniors
Championships (Ex RACING ICE 2) |
Igls
AUT |
| 01
- 14 Mar 10 |
Inter
Service Championships |
Lillehammer NOR |
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For details about the British Bobsleigh Association
and international results click
right |
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