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Derbyshire duo selected to Team GB for Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

27 January 2010

Nicola, the 2009 University of Derby Sportsperson of the Year, will compete in the women's bobsleigh with partner Gillian Cooke.

The Vancouver Games will be Nicola’s third Olympic Games, and she is widely tipped to win a medal after winning the World Bobsleigh Championships in Lake Placid last February, becoming the first British driver to win in more than 45 years and the first British woman to win the event in the history of the sport.

The 31-year-old grew up in Derbyshire and is currently based in Renishaw in the north of the county. Before taking up bobsleigh she competed internationally as a heptathlete.

Nicola (pictured) said: “It’s no exaggeration to say that, since we won the World Championship last year, everything that our team has done has been focused around the Olympic Winter Games. Our aim has always been to hit peak form when we reach Vancouver, and that’s what we plan to achieve.

“Our season hasn’t always gone according to plan, but those who know us also know that Gillian and I flourish in the face of adversity. Being selected to be part of Team GB is one of the greatest thrills you can imagine, but we’re now focused on making then most of this opportunity on the biggest stage of all.”

Meanwhile Ellie will compete in her first Olympic Games - the start of potentially five Olympic Games appearances, with Ellie’s clear goal of a podium position in four years time in Sochi, Russia.

The 18-year-old is one of the youngest members selected for Team GB and will compete in moguls, a form of freestyle skiing involving fast technical skiing and aerial jumps that are scored on timing and difficulty.

She said: “I have such a long career ahead of me in moguls and I am sure that everything that I take away from the Vancouver Games will really feed into my next four year cycle towards Sochi. In the meantime I am very focused on producing my best at the Games, and my clear target is to make the finals.

“I am so proud to have been selected to Team GB, it’s an honour that few people have in their life.  I am going out to the Olympics to ski my absolute best and I really feel ready!”

Ellie was named the University of Derby Junior Sportswoman of the Year at the 2008 Derbyshire Sports Awards.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be held from February 12 to 28.