BOBSLEIGH: Australia's bobsleigh teams will kick start their 2018 Olympic Qualification journey and hunt for a spot at the PyeongChang Games this weekend, aptly at the home of the 2010 Olympics in Whistler, Canada.
As the 2017/2018 North American Cup circuit gets underway, the women and the men's 2-man and 4-crews will take to the track, vying for essential ranking points that may eventually lead to a spot amoungst the best at the South Korean Games.
"We've been focused on working hard the right way and the boys are in peak condition heading into our first race weekend. Yesterday was good and today is great. Winter is here," said pilot Lucas Mata.
Mata will race in one 2-man race with Hayden Smith and David Mari each, and along with Lachlan Reidy the 4-man.
Bree Walker will pilot the women's crew across the weekend, joined by brakemen Ashleigh Werner on Saturday and Mikayla Dunn on Sunday.
With less than 100 days until the action begins, the Olympic flame has safely landed in the South Korean city of PyeongChang and the Aussie bobsleigh teams mark the first athletes to get underway for the 2017/2018 season.
Australia will be aiming to book as many spots as possible for
PyeongChang 2018 with qualification being based on having placed in the top 26 for men and top 16 for women. The IBSF Ranking List for the 2017/2018 qualification period will be finalised by 14 January 2018.
olympics.com.au