Winter Olympics 2010: Nicola Minichiellos bobsleigh dreams fading fast

Ian Chadband, Chief Sports Correspondent in Whistler Published: 8:48AM GMT twenty-four February 2010

Going for gold: Nicola Minichiello and brakewoman Gillian Cooke curretly lay 10th with dual runs superfluous Photo: PA

Minichiello and brakewoman Gillian Cooke, who had hoped to set upon bullion on the same lane that saw Williams overcome in the structure of the body at the weekend, were lying 10th at the half-way position, a alpine 1.38sec at the at the back of of the Canadian leaders and roughly a second at the at the back of of the bronze award on all sides with dual runs remaining.

While Williams, Britains usually medallist of the Winter Olympics cheered from the side of the lane as the sleet came down at the Whistler Sliding Centre, Minichiello was incompetent to furnish anywhere nearby the sort of drives that saw her set upon bullion at the universe championships last year.

Rochette in award using Split seconds Canada dump Brodeur for Luongo Great Britain on march for majority appropriate ever Winter Olympics opening in Vancouver 2010 Facebook key purpose in crowning of Britains initial womens bobsleigh universe champions Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke win World Bobsleigh championships

The former heptathlete attempted to adopt a dauntless face afterwards, declaring:

"We are still sharpened for the bullion medal. That"s what we"re going for and that"s what we"ve regularly left for. On marks similar to this anything"s probable and we"ll move it at the back of tomorrow."

Yet, realistically, the mental condition appears over after a inapplicable designation on the initial hook in each run cost Minichiello dear. "Overall I"m pushing majority of the lane unequivocally well but I"m usually creation a inapplicable designation on dilemma one and it"s murdering the speed."

Indeed, maybe still rusty after the new operations to scold an eyesight ailment following a pre-Christmas scare, Minichiello usually usually managed to finish forward of teammates Paula Walker and Kelly Thomas, who lay 0.19sec at the at the back of of in 11th place.

The second-string span constructed a equitable effort, generally so shortly after pang a pile-up in precision on the controversial, super-swift Whistler track.

Walker said: "For me the pile-up was finished and dusted flattering most true away. We went true up and had an additional run down the track. It usually acted as a sign that a bobsleigh lane can punch you on the backside."

Canadian span Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse lead the foe usually 0.13sec forward of Erin Pac and Elana Meyers of the USA, with Germanys Cathleen Martini and Romy Logsch a serve 0.27sec adrift.