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19 Jul 2011 11:26:09
Speedy student Antoe Walters has been selected for the British Junior Bobsleigh Squad.
Twenty-year-old Antoe, who is studying psychology at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton, is a talented sportsman who has already represented Great Britain in the 60 metres, 100 metres and relay at the Loughborough International and Celtic Games.
His speed and build prompted an invitation to try out for the bobsleigh team, which he did in Jersey using wheels and rollercoaster track instead of ice at the Jersey Radisson Blu International Push Championships 2011.
“My team came in second overall, which was a great achievement and thanks to a lot of coaching from some of the experienced crew,” said Antoe, who is a member of the University’s Athletic Union.
Antoe lived in Canada for several years and is steady on the ice, having played ice hockey and enjoyed ice and figure skating. He is training as a brakesman for the bobsleigh team and it is his job to get the vehicle up to speeds of 100 miles per hour by running on ice wearing special spiked shoes.
“I’m the power guy, but a lot of it is to do with timing. Part of the
training is to get used to the icy conditions as your fingers can freeze up,”
explained Antoe, pictured with team mate Lamin Deen.
“It’s a dangerous but thrilling environment that really interests me,” he added.
Athletics and the bobsleigh offer Antoe opportunities to focus his training all year round: “Athletics is a summer sport so I intend to keep up the sprinting, but train hard for the bobsleigh squad too.
The main focus is the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in 2014, but Antoe also hopes to be selected for next year’s World Junior Championships.
He was awarded a bursary from the University of Bedfordshire’s Student Union last year to help with his athletics, but is now looking for sponsorship for his bobsleigh training.
“There are no ice tracks in the UK so I will need to attend ice training camps in different countries to get some real practice.”
Any potential sponsors can contact Antoe at triplea1991@hotmail.co.uk.
Latest news» 2011» July» Gearing up for British Bobsleigh squad
