October 17, 2022

Risqat picked for Team GB Bob-Sleigh place

Risqat Fabunmi-Alade (R2012) has been selected to represent Great Britain in the women’s Bobsleigh team for the 22/23 season. She’s the first-seeded brake-woman and recorded the top female test results for this position during the trials

She explains “I got into it due to a friend I made through athletics already taking part in the sport. She’d mentioned it to me for a couple years and I finally said I’d  come to a talent ID day. I performed really well for a first timer and was invited to some development sessions and then to the main trials where I then qualified! The main factor is speed: the trial was 3 times efforts pushing a 140kg sled/trolley for 45m on a push track at Bath University. My first time I went at a pace my grandmother could’ve managed: I wanted to feel it out because it looked scary! I haven’t been on the ice yet, but that is where the real adrenaline and fear will kick in. I’ll reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour (130 km/h) on tracks 1200-1900m in length with 12-21 turns!”

Risqat hopes to compete in the Europa Cup circuit consisting of races from November to January with races in Lillehammer, Norway, Altenberg, Germany and Igls, Austria.
She adds “Unfortunately, as a fledgling brake-woman the governing body funding available to me to compete as an international winter sports athlete for the season is £0.00.  So far I’ve saved towards travel & all pre-qualifying expenses myself to get to this point but I need backing to kickstart my Bobsleigh career:  I need to pay for equipment, accommodation, nutrition & other miscellaneous fees. I’ve estimated £2,000 should cover most of my costs which includes from a helmet and spikes to nutrition and thermals”.
To get behind Risqat’s crowdfunder, here’s the link
Helmet

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