Mapp moves closer to retaining title
Corie Mapp is well on his way to retaining his Para Bobsleigh World Cup crown after winning gold and then bronze in this weekend’s latest races in Norway.
Mapp finished first on Saturday and third on Sunday in Race five and six of the eight-event World Cup season.
With the para bobsleigh campaign featuring six successive races in Lillehammer over just a ten-day period, Mapp has medalled in every event as he continues to prove he is the sport’s most consistent performer.
He has collected three golds, a silver and two bronze since January 10th, taking his individual World Cup tally to exactly 50 since beginning his bobsleigh career a decade ago.
The 46-year-old won the overall title for the second time last season - a season in which he also won the European Championships and took bronze in the World Championships - and he now has a 131-point lead at the top of the standings with two races remaining.
Mapp heads to Sigulda in Latvia for events on January 31st and February 1st on 1285 points, with Austria’s Hermann Ellmauer second on 1154 and Latvia’s Artur Klots third on 1149.
‘It’s been a wonderful season so far,” said Mapp. “I’m really enjoying my sliding; I’ve been very consistent; and I’m really happy with how I’ve performed in every race.
“I wanted to stay in the top three in each of the last two races here in Norway this weekend and I did that.
It’s been a long and very intense period of racing for us but we’ve come away with three gold, one silver and two bronze and we broke the track record as well.
“I don’t think I could have been as successful as I have been here without all the help from Graham Richardson (British Bobsleigh Head Coach) and the whole British Bobsleigh team here in pre-season in October. A lot of what I have achieved here is because of them. I appreciate all that they’ve done to assist me in being successful this season.
“I feel that I’ve still got more to come, too, and I’m confident I can get the best out of myself in the remaining races. I desperately want to get myself another Crystal Globe (the trophy awarded to the Overall World Cup Champion).
“We move on to Sigulda now, where I will try to finish strong and win the overall World Cup and the Euros (European Championships) again, followed by the World Championships in St Moritz.
“As always, I’m extremely proud to represent my amazing countries. It’s something I do - and will continue to do - with the utmost pride.”
Ģirts Kehris | IBSF
In addition to his 50 World Cup medals, Mapp has won the European Championships twice and picked up four silvers and a bronze; claimed two Overall World Cup titles, plus four silvers and a bronze; and won silver and bronze (twice) in the only competition where a gold medal has eluded him - the World Championships.
Mapp will be hoping to put the latter stat right when the World Champs bring the curtain down on the season in St Moritz on February 13th and 14th.
