It’s the second that Australia’s Sarah Blizzard has been ready years for to return true – and in a matter of days her Olympic bobsleigh goals will grow to be a actuality.
However there’s one design alternative on her bobsleigh that has puzzled some on social media.
Why is Blizzard’s bobsleigh painted orange simply days away from first Olympic race?
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The reply is straightforward. It’s a outstanding act of generosity.
Blizzard and her brakewoman Desi Johnson have been sharing their journey to the Olympic Winter Video games throughout social media, from the highs to the lows, for the previous 12 months.
The bobsleigh group just isn’t as massive as many sports activities the Australian followers could also be used to, with solely three athletes and one travelling reserve chosen for Milano-Cortina.
(L-R) Sarah Blizzard and Desi Johnson pictured on the opening ceremony. Australian Olympic Staff
Blizzard, 29, has not been shy when requested in regards to the prices related to the game, nor has she saved secret the help different groups have given her alongside the way in which.
So when one Dutch duo had been struggling to e-book their ticket to the Olympic Winter Video games, a brief telephone name to Blizzard rapidly turned their battle into success.
Watch the Winter Olympic Video games Milano Cortina 2026 stay and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, each occasion stay & on demand, each medal in 4K, and unique worldwide protection on Stan Sport.
Dutch two-person crew Dave Wesselink and Jelen Franjic had been on the verge of lacking the qualification standards to safe a spot to the Olympic Video games with crew Netherlands on the closing World Cup occasion earlier than the match, with their bobsleigh “not ok” to ship a robust end result on the course in St Moritz, Switzerland.
The pair wanted to complete within the high eight at that World Cup in the event that they needed to compete in Cortina d’Ampezzo, leaving them no alternative however to ask Blizzard, an in depth good friend, for assist.
“We noticed we had potential within the two-man bobsled however the gear wasn’t ok,” Dutch two-man pilot Dave Wesselink advised NU.nl.
Sarah Blizzard and Desi Johnson in motion on the ice on the Winter Olympics. Sarah Blizzard on TikTok
“We politely requested if we may borrow their two-man bobsleigh. They stated sure, and we did not even need to pay for it.”
In a heartwarming ending, the pair secured their spot within the Olympic Winter Video games. Nonetheless, it was going to be a problem to get their very own gear as much as normal to compete in Milan.
With the bobsleigh Blizzard makes use of costing anyplace from $100,000 AUD upwards, the Australian knowledgeable the Dutch they may proceed utilizing the sled for the Olympics.
“The sled is mine. I personal it myself,” Blizzard stated on TikTok.
“It’s not Staff Australia’s (sled), it’s my very own private one which I purchased second-hand.
“That (two-person sled) one is quite a bit sooner and much more aggressive. I had to try this to have the ability to step up and be aggressive.”
Blizzard additionally confirmed the Dutch won’t get any benefit that she would not have whereas in her sled, as all bobsleighs are the identical for women and men.
“All the two-persons sleds might be for males or lady. There is no such thing as a a unique sled,” she continued.
“You possibly can change the place the foot pegs are, so the place your ft (relaxation), and the way far again you sit within the sled. You possibly can change the seat, the space of the D-rings, which is what we steer with.
“Once we change between the Dutch pilot, who’s a male and far taller than me … we simply change the foot pegs, the seat and D-rings. It takes about 10 minutes. It’s a tremendous fast job.
“Our coaching is much sufficient aside, as is our races, that it would not intrude with something.”
The Dutch duo will hit the ice on February 16 (AEDT) for the primary warmth of the boys’s two-man race, whereas Blizzard and Johnson will start their marketing campaign on February 21.
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