Bobsleigh and Skeleton

Minichiello needs eye surgery to keep Olympic dream in focus

By Mike Rowbottom

January 27 - Nicola Minichiello (pictured), one of Britain’s best medal hopes at the Winter Olympics which start in Vancouver on February 12, will require further laser surgery to her eye today to correct her vision following inflammation of the retina which left her virtually blind on one side while bobsled racing in Italy in November.

Third place for Briton in bobsleigh

February 16 - Britain's Nicola Minichiello (pictured) has ended the 2008-2009 Bobsleigh World Cup in third place overall to give her a boost for next year's Winter Olympics.

The 30-year-old former heptathlete from Sheffield finished sixth in the final leg of the World Cup in Park City
 
That was good enough to ensure she secured third place overall for the series.
 
During the eight-race World Cup series Minichiello collected a silver and two bronze medals in a season that has also seen her win the European Championship bronze.
 
She was partnered by two different brakemen during the campaign - Gillian Cooke - who raced in six World Cup rounds, including the most recent at Park City - and Jackie Gunn.
 
Germany’s Sandra Kiriasis won the World Cup series for the seventh time in a row, with compatriot Cathleen Martini in runners-up spot.
 
The action now moves on to the World Championships in Lake Placid.