Tue 4th October, 2011
Bedfordshire student and bobsleigh star Antoe Walters (bottom right) has been selected to compete in the World Junior Championships next year as part of the GB bobsleigh team.
And the budding bobsleigh champion has just jetted off to Latvia with the GB team for a training camp before the Championships in Italy in 2012.
Twenty-year-old Antoe, who is studying psychology at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton, is a talented sportsman in athletics, as well and his speed and build, prompted an invitation to try out for the bobsleigh team.
He said: “I was so excited to get the call and it’s just starting to sink in that I’ll be representing Great Britain.
“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 – this first one in Latvia has been really useful.”
Professor John Brewer, Director of Sport at the University, added: “We’re delighted with Antoe’s progress and we’ll be watching with interest to see how he gets on next year.”
Antoe is a brakesman in 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. He explained: “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.”
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. Antoe said: “The University and Students’ Union has been really supportive of my training and sponsorship needs, but training in different countries is very costly so I’m always looking for further sponsorship.”
Any potential sponsors can contact Antoe at antoe.walters1991@gmail.com
Latest news» 2011» October» Speedy Bedfordshire student chosen for GB bobsleigh squad
