While Jamaica will not be participating in bobsleigh next week, there’s no need to fret, as this will remain one of the most exciting events at the Olympics. The biggest stars in the sport will be out at the Whistler Sliding Centre to compete in the four-man, two-man, and two-woman events. Canada will be represented by two men’s crews, led by Lyndon Rush and Pierre Lueders, and two women’s crews, piloted by Kaillie Humphries and Hellen Upperton. As always, the Games will feature elite crews from Germany and Switzerland, the world’s top sliding nations. André Lange of Germany will be looking to add another gold medal to his collection, after winning three in Salt Lake City and Turin. Also joining the field is reigning World Cup champion Steven Holcomb of the USA, who will try to win his first Olympic medal in Vancouver. Canada’s top medal hope should be the two-woman team of Humphries and Heather Moyse.
Athletes to watch: Jesse Lumsden. The Edmonton Eskimos running back joins the ever-growing fraternity of multi-sport athletes, and will serve as Pierre Lueders’ brakeman on both the two-man and four-man crews.
Predictions:
Men’s two-man:
Gold: Beat Hefti, SUISilver: Ivo Rüegg, SUIBronze: Andre Langé, GER
Two-woman:
Gold: Cathleen Martini, GERSilver: Sandra Kiraisis, GERBronze: Kaillie Humphries, CAN
