I am a director of the British Bobsleigh Association and have a close connection with the British Team. Those servicemen and women who compete for GB are by no means swanning off to enjoy their favourite sports. They are all dedicated athletes who have secured their places on merit and performance putting a huge effort into their training very often at considerable personal cost. External funding is limited and I know of a number who have self financed not only large parts of their training but also elements of their competing. In these days of shrinking armed forces such activities probably hinder rather than increase career/promotion chances. Yet the armed forces do benefit from a degree of very positive publicity and from the promotion of adventure training activities.
Anyone who fancies swanning around in preparation for the 2010 Winter games should contact Major Helen Carter of the Army Bobsleigh Association and get themselves on this years Army Ice Camp (Training for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge).
