The pilot of the AUS-1 two-man bobsleigh team Chris Spring has recovered from a disappointing second run yesterday to lay down a solid third run of 53.18 seconds tonight at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Unfortunately the performance couldn’t lift the Australians from 22nd position into the top 20 required for the fourth and final run, however it meant AUS-1 finished the Games in the form they know they are capable of.

Tonight Anthony Ryan substituted as brakeman for Duncan Harvey who is still suffering from a back injury incurred during a training crash.

Spring had mixed emotions at the end of his two-man Olympic campaign.

“It’s good to put down a safe run. Not the best run, but I’m happy with it,” Spring said.

“It would have been nice to be in the top 20 but this is the result we got and I’m okay with it.

On his overall Olympic experience the Calgary based pilot was philosophical.

“Well it was a nightmare last night but it was a good dream overall.

Spring and Ryan combined well at short notice.

“Anthony and I have trained together all year. We raced once during the year as well and because of my incident on Day 1 of training; Anthony stepped up for training as well. Anthony has probably slid more on this track than Duncan did so it wasn’t hard adjusting.

Ryan was happy to have got a run in and confirm his place as an Olympian. He was a late selection when the 4-man spot was confirmed so getting a spot in a 2-man has been a well deserved bonus.

“It was great. I only found about 1pm today that I would be competing,” Ryan said.

The other Australian 2-man team of Jeremy Rolleston and Duncan Pugh was not entitled to race today after crashing out yesterday and failing to finish their first run.

It has been a terribly difficult campaign for the Australian teams. Rolleston, Harvey, Pugh and Ryan are scheduled to race the 4-man, with official training starting on Tuesday, but contesting this event is yet to be confirmed.

Andrew Reid
AOC