Jamaican women’s bobsled makes history in first Olympics

The Jamaican women’s bobsledding team has made history by competing in its first ever Winter Olympic games – 30 years after the first time the men’s team did the same. 

The team, composed of pilot Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and brakewoman Carrie Russell, made its debut yesterday at the PyeongChang winter games.

The team completed its first run in 17th place at 51.29 seconds, and earned 19th place overall after the final two runs Wednesday, according to NBC.

And though they didn’t win a medal – the team inspired people around the world after not knowing if they were going to make it to the Games in the first place.  

The Jamaican women’s bobsledding team has made history by competing in its first ever Winter Olympic games – 30 years after the first time the men’s team did the same

Pictured above is the men's Jamaican bobsled team in February 1988 speaking at a press conference after the team's first ever games

Pictured above is the men’s Jamaican bobsled team in February 1988 speaking at a press conference after the team’s first ever games

The team, composed of pilot Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and brakewoman Carrie Russell, made its debut yesterday at the PyeongChang winter games

The team, composed of pilot Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and brakewoman Carrie Russell, made its debut yesterday at the PyeongChang winter games

As recently as last week, the team wasn’t sure if they were going to be able to compete because they were without a sleigh. 

Just days before the competition, coach Sandra Kirasis left the team and took the sled with her. 

The two-time Olympic medalist said she secured the funding for the sled, so unless they paid her they could not use it. 

The Jamacian Bobsleigh federation refused to pay her, so she would not hand it over, leaving the team desperate for a solution just days before they were due to take the track. 

But Jamaican brewery Red Strip stepped in – offered funding for a new sled. 

‘No bobsled, no problem. If you need a new @Jambobsled put it on @RedStripe’s tab,’ RedStrip tweeted on February 15. 

As recently as last week, the team wasn't sure if they were going to be able to compete because they were without a sleigh

As recently as last week, the team wasn’t sure if they were going to be able to compete because they were without a sleigh

Just days before the competition, coach Sandra Kirasis left the team and took the sled with her

Just days before the competition, coach Sandra Kirasis left the team and took the sled with her

But Jamaican brewery Red Strip stepped in - offered funding for a new sled. 'No bobsled, no problem. If you need a new @Jambobsled put it on @RedStripe's tab,' RedStrip tweeted on February 15

But Jamaican brewery Red Strip stepped in – offered funding for a new sled. ‘No bobsled, no problem. If you need a new @Jambobsled put it on @RedStripe’s tab,’ RedStrip tweeted on February 15

The sled arrived and was named ‘Mr Cool Bolt’ after record-setting Jamaican runner Usain Bolt and the movie Cool Runnings, which is about the men’s 1988 team. 

‘A lo of people know of bobsleigh because of the movie Cool Runnings and Jamaica making that launch in 1988 and really pushing bobsleigh with ppularity,’ Fenlator-Victorian said. 

‘But we’re also humbled and honored to be compared to those men that started and fought so hard to represent Jamaica.’  

Pictured is the men's bobsledding team in the movie Cool Beginnings. The movie was inspired by the team's first Olympic run in 2008

Pictured is the men’s bobsledding team in the movie Cool Beginnings. The movie was inspired by the team’s first Olympic run in 2008



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