Ex-British serviceman Mapp, who lost both his legs back in 2010 when his military vehicle ran over an explosive device in Afghanistan, claimed the victory in a time of 2mins 12.50 seconds ahead of American Jason Storm.

Lonnie Bissonnette took third place, 0.22 seconds behind Mapp, who also represents Great Britain in sitting volleyball.

"What a feeling," Mapp said.

"[I'm] Delighted to win the first Para-bobsleigh gold.

"Being part of the world's first ever Para-bobsleigh race today was incredible.

"To win was something really special.

"I hope that I have done people proud - I've had so much support from many different people."

Mapp revealed he nearly quit the sport to focus on his many other commitments and he feels the sport has a bright future ahead of it.

"I love bobsleigh, I only tried it for the first time in Calgary last season so to be here in Austria, at the first ever race and win is just amazing," he said.

"I feel so excited about where the sport is going and for our next race in St. Moritz next week.

"To think I nearly quit bobsleigh last summer to focus on my other sports.

"It's been a fantastic experience to be here, with such a great group of competitors."

A campaign to get para bobsleigh and para skeleton into the Olympics has been heavily backed by IOC member and former skeleton athlete Adam Pengilly ©Getty Images



The maiden Para-bobsleigh World Cup event marked the first step on a long journey for the sport as they bid to strengthen their case for inclusion on future Olympic programmes along with Para-skeleton.

The International Paralympic Committee have said however that the sport won't be added to the Winter Olympic schedule until the 2022 Games at the earliest, which are due to be held in either Almaty, Kazakhstan, or Beijing, China.

Back in December, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and two-time skeleton Olympian Adam Pengilly revealed he is striving to get the sports included in time for the 2022 Games.

"We're always keen to work with international federations who are keen about winter sport," he exclusively told insidethegames.

"We're definitely in close communication with them, and bobsleigh and skeleton could be a future Paralympic sport."