The Irish challengers, headed by bobsleigh pilot 25 year old Aoife Hoey from Tipperary, will benefit from the purchase of a state-of-the-art bobsled by the Olympic Council and also a scholarship grant from the Olympic Solidarity Fund. These initiatives will allow the Irish bobsleigh team to compete in the Europa and World Junior Cup competitions – all essential components in their bid to become the first female bobsleighers to represent Ireland at the Winter Olympics.
Seen, with the new Irish Olympic bobsled, at their training camp in Igls, near Innsbruck, Austria, were Claire Bergin from Dublin (brakewoman), Aoife Hoey (pilot) and Leona Byrne from Carlow (brakewoman).
Stephen Martin said: “Aoife and her team are highly motivated and are following an intensive programme involving speed training, power and strength work, as well as mental preparation and race track visualisation. They, along with team manager Siobhan Hoey, (sister of Aoife) are committed to racing against the best in the world. The new sled will help them to represent Ireland with pride and challenge for Olympic qualification” .
