THE 16-year-old Beaminster Schoolgirl who was picked as the reserve in the school’s historic bid for bobsleigh glory at the British Bobsleigh Championships in Austria came eighth in the women’s race.

Emma Harris was pushing driver Michelle Coy, who represented Great Britain in Women's Bobsleigh at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games.

Emma and Michelle progressively built up the speed of their push start over six training runs and in the race draw for the starting order, were drawn first off.

Emma and Michelle clocked the seventh fastest push time of 6.52 seconds and reached a speed of 71.5mph before crossing the finish line in a time of 57.75 seconds.

 

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: There school’s bobsleigh team - the youngest-ever British bobsleigh team to compete in the British Championship games – Amy Nicholson, Jonah Ayunga, Skyler Herzog didn’t fare so well.

There was drama at the start of the four-man race, as Amy Nicholson slipped when loading and despite valiant efforts, failed to get in the Beaminster Bobcats bobsleigh.

Their first run with only three crew in the bobsleigh meant disqualification.

They did re-group though and Amy, Jonah and Skyler with their driver, Olly Biddulph, took their second run without mishap.

They posted the third fastest push start time, recorded the third fastest run time and gave an indication of their true potential.

School governor Mark Carter, who helped get the pupils a chance to race as the youngest-ever team, said: “At 16 year's of age, finishing eighth is a fine result for Emma Harris, and the hope is that Year 12 team of Emma, Amy, Jonah and Skyler will represent Beaminster School in next year's British Bobsleigh Championships, as there is unfinished business...”