British Bobsleigh earn UK Sport upgrade

Performance Director, Gary Anderson, has spoken of his pleasure after British Bobsleigh were given a three-year award in yesterday’s UK Sport annual investment review for winter sports.

Anderson’s squad had previously been on a one-year award scheme but have now been upgraded following an impressive run of results.

Great Britain have finished fifth at the last three global championships, including last year’s World Championships in Winterberg and the 2014 OIympic Games in Sochi, and Anderson believes yesterday’s decision is confirmation that they are continuing to move in the right direction.

“I am extremely pleased that UK Sport have once again showed confidence in our World Class Performance Programme,” said Anderson. “This confirmation of a three-year award now allows us to plan effectively and appropriately to deliver our performance targets, with the ultimate aim being to medal at the next Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

“The funding from the National Lottery is crucial to sports like bobsleigh and we thank them for their continued support. We are truly grateful for their backing and we hope to repay them with further success over the coming seasons.

“Our squad is in good shape currently and our important summer preparation period is well underway. We are already making good use of the new and improved push track in Bath and are looking forward with anticipation to the 2015/16 sliding season.”

There was also good news for British Skeleton after their level of funding was maintained until the end of the next Olympic cycle.