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Beer company rescues Jamaican bobsleigh team by offering new sled
Jamaican beer company Red Stripe has come to the rescue of the Jamaican women’s bobsleigh team after they were left without a sled when a team coach quit just days before their first-ever Olympic appearance.
After the drama involving driver coach Sandra Kiriasis – herself a world, European and Olympic champion – unfolded this week, Red Stripe decided to come to the Jamaican team’s aid, offering to fund a new sled on Twitter.
Kiriasis, who reportedly owns the sled the team were due to compete in, “elected not to continue her position” with the Jamaican squad on Wednesday, .
In a move that might just prompt a Cool Runnings sequel, Red Stripe offered some help on Twitter, stating: “No bobsled, no problem. If you need a new ride Jamaican Bobsled team, put it on Red Stripe’s tab”. The brewer told the team to send a message to arrange the deal.
No bobsled, no problem. If you need a new ride @Jambobsled, put it on @RedStripe’s tab. DM us and we’ll be in touch 👌🍻
— Red Stripe USA (@RedStripeUSA) February 15, 2018
In a comment below the original tweet, the Jamaican team accepted the offer.
Later speaking to the Gleaner, JBSF president Chris stokes said: “We have been gifted a bobsled from Red Stripe. We have accepted their generosity and we are currently preparing the sled.
“The team is in competition mode and we are focused on one goal – coming to the start line prepared mentally and physically. We have had some challenges in Pyeongchang, but we stand united and thank our fans and colleagues for their unwavering support”.
A new sled will reportedly set the beer company back $50,000.
Former coach Kiriasis quit her position after refusing to change roles from driving coach to track performance analyst, which she said would have given her no access to the athletes.
She told media in Pyeongchang: “The athletes have told me they don’t understand why this has happened as they have no problem with me and we have a good relationship”.
If the bobsled deal pays off, Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and Carrie Russell will become the first female Jamaican competitors at the Winter Olympics, some 30 years after the Jamaican men, who inspired the film Cool Runnings, took part. They are due to compete on 20 February.