Baines to propel Team GB two-man bob

12 February 2014

John Baines will step into the GBR 1 two-man bobsleigh seat vacated by the injured Craig Pickering at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Baines, who does some of his training at the University of Bath, will be Lamin Deen’s brakeman for the two-man bob. The duo raced together at the Americas Cup this season, achieving a number of top-10 results.

Baines was already in the Team GB bobsleigh team for Sochi as a member of the GBR2 four-man crew, which is also piloted by Deen.

He was named in the two-man crew today (Wednesday) after University of Bath Sport and Exercise Science graduate Pickering was forced to withdraw from the squad with a back injury he sustained in a pre-Games preparation camp at the Konigssee track in Germany. He has pledged to do Pickering proud when he competes on Sunday and Monday.

Baines said: “Going to the Games has always been my dream and now I’m finally here I can say hard work and determination pays off.

“Training and racing with Craig over the past year has been an honour, and when I race this weekend I will do him proud.

“I have competed in the two man on World Cup before and achieved top-10 results and feel confident for the weekend.”

Gary Anderson Team GB Bobsleigh Team Leader said: “John has considerable World Cup experience with GBR1 in recent years achieving a World Cup top-10 finish.

“I know that John can step up here and has been seeking this chance for some time. He now has the chance to show the world what he is capable of.”

The two-man event at Sochi takes place on Sunday and Monday (16 and 17 February).

British Bobsleigh has its headquarters at the University of Bath.

You can cheer on the team on the big screen at the Sports Training Village. We’ll be showing the pick of the action featuring athletes with Bath links.

For further information about Team Bath please contact the Team Bath press office at Matchtight Ltd at press@matchtight.co.uk or on 01225 383518.

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