Mica Moore Edges Closer To Olympic Dream

It may have come a day late, but Welsh bobsleigher Mica Moore picked up a belated 25^th birthday present as she finished equal fifth with Mica McNeill in the World Cup event in Whistler.

It was the best British women’s result at World Cup level for more than eight years and gave last season’s Junior World Champions another huge boost as they attempt to qualify for the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, in February.

For Moore, who turned 25 on Thursday, and McNeill the result in Canada beat their previous best placing together of eighth set in both Whistler and Lake Placid last season. For McNeill it bettered her previous highest results of seventh in Konigssee in 2016 and joint seventh in St Moritz in January of this year.

The dynamic British duo, who raised all the money they needed to compete this season themselves after losing their funding, sat in third at the half-way mark after clocking 53.48 seconds off the back of a 5.25 start time on the fastest track on the circuit.

A second run time of 54.51 from a 5.30 start saw them miss out on the chance to hold on to the bronze medal position, but it was good enough to ensure they gave Great Britain the country’s best women’s result since Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke finished third in Moritz in January, 2009.

“I’m so happy with the result. To be able to improve our start time and position from last year is incredible,” said Moore, who gave up her athletics career, and the chance to run at the Commonwealth Games next April, to chase here Olympic dream.

“We’re so grateful for all the support the public have given us and for all the hard work and support from the coaching team and staff out here with us. Hopefully, we can continue to progress throughout the season.”

The two Micas are turning their obvious potential into some world class performances and are more than proving their worth on the World Cup circuit, which has now completed its North American leg. They have also greatly impressed the GB Bobsleigh Head Coach, Lee Johnston.

“To record their best World Cup result at the end of a tough training week, and after a long time away from home, is a huge boost. It’s a fantastic result for Mica and Mica,” said Johnston.

“I know it will give them great confidence going into the week’s break before Winterberg, which is the track where they won World Junior gold in January. It bodes well for the rest of the season.”

There was no joy for Welshman Bruce Tasker in the 2-man bob and he crashed on the final run of the 27 drives. Partnering World Cup debutant Nick Gleeson, they began promisingly with a 4.84 start but with the ice conditions worsening they at the end of the day they failed to finish.

The other British pair, Brad Hall and Joel Fearon, finished tied for 13^th to equal Hall’s previous best World Cup 2-man result.