Jackson settles for 17th (From The Northern Echo)

Jackson settles for 17th

10:31am Monday 1st March 2010 in

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JOHN JACKSON believes he deserved his Olympic bobsleigh selection, despite two crashes on the controversial Whistler Sliding Centre track.

Jackson, from Barnard Castle, brought home Great Britain’s four-man sled in a disappointing 17th place after a crash on the second run ruined any hopes of a topten finish.

It followed a similar spill during the two-man event, which resulted in a disqualification.

He was less than impressed with a banner at the finish line that read ‘Where’s Lee Johnston’ – a reference to the two-time Olympian who was overlooked for the Vancouver spot, despite winning trial races in Germany and Switzerland.

Johnston is considering legal action about his non-selection and one prominent member of the British Bobsleigh Association has resigned in protest.

Eyebrows were raised when selectors decided to mix and match members of the two British sleds competing on the World Cup circuit but Jackson claims that wasn’t a problem “We’ve gelled from the off,”

he insisted.

“We’ve been together for the last four seasons in and around each other.

“So we know each other well and as a team it just clicked into place straight away from when we were in Park City just before we got to the Olympics.”

Jackson responded well after the second run crash with slides of 52.24 and 52.15 seconds in runs three and four respectively.

It lifted the team to 17th – still nearly six seconds slower than American Steven Holcomb, who claimed gold.

“Those runs were important for us,” added Jackson.

“We had a disappointing second run and we wanted to come back and show some pride and spirit and turn in a good performance.

“The track wasn’t quite as fast but it’s still well prepared and a big challenge.

We picked ourselves up and showed people what we’re capable of.

“We’ve made up some places but, of course it’s frustrating that we didn’t finish higher. One mistake has cost us dear. We could have been pushing for a top ten place but I’m proud of the way we reacted to adversity.

“There was a bit of emotion after the crash, but then we pulled ourselves together, worked as a team and did well.”

Jackson will be 36 when the Games are next staged but he insists he wants to be there.

“Now we have to look to the future and to plan for Sochi,” he added.

“I want to be there and I hope that the other three guys will be there with me.”

There is an issue of financial support, however, with the team’s funding expected to be cut, because of their performances in Vancouver.

■ Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to Vancouver 2010. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012