Stokes: The team will do well at Winter Games

There is a high level of excitement within the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation as the country's athletes prepare to compete in this year's Winter Olympics Games in Pyeonchang, South Korea from February 9-25.

The Jamaica team led by Chef de Mission Leo Campbell arrived in South Korea last Friday following a 12-day training camp in Germany.

Jamaica's female team, which will be competing in bobsleigh at the Winter Games for the first time, will be represented by Carrie Russell, Audra Segree and Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian. Anthony Watson will represent the country for the first time in the Skeleton championships.

Christian Stokes, president of Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, speaking at Monday evening's press launch, at the Jamaica Olympic Association office in Kingston, said he is cautiously optimistic about the team's chances.

Excellent results

"The team is coming out of a 12-day training programme in Germany. There were excellent results, everybody had a PR (personal best) in the push. The stress and tension of the World Cup circuit has eased," said Stokes. "I am very optimist that we are going into the Winter Olympics Games in peak condition, mentally and physically, and I think that the team is going to do well."

He added that the team has settled in well since their arrival in Pyeonchang last week.

"In Pyeonchang, they have excellent facilities, including a semi in-door facility that they can train on," Stokes said.

"They have two days of sliding coming up, and after that, they have a week off at which time they use the excellent weightlifting and track facility to continue training and we expect them to do well," he said. "I am not calling any number for medals now but I am confident that the team will do well."

Russell told the members of the media via video conference from her base in South Korea, that they are in excellent shape ahead of the championships.

"So far everything is great, the facilities, training and meals are great," said Russell. "We are working very hard as a team. we are here to have fun and that is where you get great results, when you enjoy what you do," Russell stated.