Astrid's Story
With a background in track and field (400m sprint and 400m hurdles), Astrid Radjenovic (nee Loch-Wilkinson) was asked to trial for the new women's bobsleigh development team. Originally slated to be a brakewoman, she took up driving and became the Australian women's number one pilot.
In 2006, she made history alongside teammate Kylie Reed, when she piloted the first Australian Olympic women's bobsled at the Torino Olympic Winter Games. The pair finished in 14th place. Radjenovic returned to international bobsleigh in 2009 and qualified for her second Olympics in Vancouver 2010. Prior to the start of the Games, the International Bobsleigh Federation (FIBT) omitted Radjenovic and her teammate Cecilia McIntosh from selection, after they achieved the minimum qualification standard. The AOC argued the FIBT erred in not selecting a team from Oceania and eventually won the appeal just two days before the opening ceremony. They were the 21st sled in what was previously a 20-sled field. The Australian pair finished 19th at the 2010 Games.
Radjenovic competed at her third consecutive Games at Sochi 2014, alongside brakewoman Jana Pittman. The pair had almost 15 years earlier trained and competed against each other in Athletics. Together on an ice track the pair had a strong Olympic season and place 14th in Russia, equalling Radjenovic’s best result.
In addition to Bobsleigh and Athletics, Radjenovic competed in state and super league soccer for NSW and won a bronze medal in the 2006 National Weightlifting titles, competing in the 69kg division.
