BOBSLEIGH: Bree Walker and Kiara Reddingius have had an outstanding start to their two-woman bobsleigh campaign, laying down two solid runs to sit 12th at the halfway mark of their competition.
The duo showed they meant business immediately, shaving more than half a second off their best training run time to lay down a 1:01.98 in their first run to sit 15th.
With their confidence boosted, Bree and Kiara backed it up with a 1:02.11 in run two on ice that was slowing down. Despite the slower ice, it was the 11th quickest time of heat two which moved them up to 12th position overall and just 0.06 outside of the top 10.
Bree showed she is in the form that saw her achieve Australia’s best ever Olympic bobsleigh result earlier in the week, fifth in the monobob.
“I’m really happy with today, it’s only our sixth time pushing together on this track,” Bree said.
“The flow is finally here and I’m really happy with how it’s been progressing. We’ll review the video tomorrow (Saturday) and hope to go even quicker tomorrow (Saturday 11pm AEDT).
“I’ve been hearing from my family and friends, it’s so nice to have everyone at home getting around Bobsleigh. I can’t thank everyone enough for the support. In the monobob I really wanted more, I was so grateful for the support, that’s what held me together.
“This has been such a great experience and I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow.”
Kiara was ecstatic to make her debut, knowing her 700-strong hometown of Leonora in Western Australia was cheering her on from the local pub.
Kiara Reddingius grew up in a mining town named Leonora - 833km northeast of Perth, population 700.
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) February 18, 2022
After seeing snow for the first time in November 2021, the 30-year-old from the Goldfields is having a crack at gold 💚💛 #Beijing2022 pic.twitter.com/b8awRtQK6X
The 30-year-old was emotional after officially competing and becoming an Olympian.
“I’m just really happy and proud to be an Olympian and to push alongside Bree,” Kiara said. “These are happy tears!”
“I’ve been working really hard in every pursuit I do. I had this opportunity to come and try Bobsleigh, the bobsleigh community has been something really special, I’ve had so much support. To be here is something that still blows my mind, now I’m an Olympian and I’m so proud.
“I’m so grateful to be able to compete with Bree. It’s such a long campaign for the pilots and she’s come out absolutely firing, she’s got the track worked out and I’m just so excited for tomorrow. We’ll have a crack and see how we go.”
Catch the pair as they launch their final day of Olympic competition and try to crack the top 10, live and free on Channel 7 or 7plus from 11pm AEDT on Saturday 19 February.
Dominic Sullivan
#HaveAGo
Bobsleigh
WHAT ARE THE KEY ATTRIBUTES
Speed, power and strength
HOW CAN I HAVE A GO?
Click through to the Bobsleigh recruitment website
WHICH SPORTS PROVDE A GOOD PATHWAY?
With such a heavy focus on speed, power and strength, traditionally those with an athletics background make a successfull transition. Take Bree Walker (400m hurdles) and Kiara Reddingius (Heptathlon) for example.
