THERE was disappointment for dale slider Alan Toward and the GB team at the World Bobsleigh and Skeleton Championships in Whistler, Canada, at the weekend.
The 27-year-old, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, was left out of the four-man crew piloted by Brad Hall which eventually finished a distant 13th of the 23 sleds entered into the final event of the season.
The second GB crew, driven by Lamin Deen, finished in 15th place.
The gold medal was won by the German crew, with pilot Francesco Friedrich completing a double, having taken top spot in the two-man bob earlier in the week.
Brakeman Alan had been part of Brad Hall’s team which had competed in the North American Cup and the World Cup series before they headed to Calgary for training prior to the world championships.
The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) announced on Friday, the day of the first two runs, that Alan would be replaced by two-time winter Olympian Joel Fearon in the GB1 sled.
The team lay 12th after the first two runs, 0.98sec behind the half-way leaders from Latvia.
There was no improvement in the final two runs as the Germans overtook Latvia for gold with the hosts Canada claiming bronze.
Afterwards, the BBSA paid tribute to the teams’ efforts.
“A tough field, a tough track and a bobsleigh season that required these guys to be physically and mentally strong under real pressure.
“They might not have left Canada with a medal but they’ve done Britain proud on an off the ice.”
Pilot Brad Hall tweeted: “Not the result we wanted but happy with how we pushed and the drives, so lots of positives.
“Time for home and some well deserved rest.”
