Rose McGrandle and Ed Smith have been named today in Britain's world cup squad after impressing at the season's first three Inter-Continental Cups (ICC). ...
The duo, named a week earlier than expected because of some defining performances, have been selected to join Lizzy Yarnold, Laura Deas and Dominic Parsons on the sport's top-ranking circuit. Deas and Parsons both won their places last month through British Skeleton's selection races in Winterberg, Germany.Â
Olympic Champion Yarnold was pre-selected because of last year's Olympic and overall world cup wins.
McGrandle, from Milton Keynes, recorded three podium finishes in the first two rounds of the ICC. At the first ICC, in Lillehammer, the 27-year old broke the track record in her first heat on her way to winning overall. She then followed this with consecutive second place finishes at the next event in Königssee, Germany, to secure her place.
Bristol's Ed Smith has also been selected following consistent performances at both events, recording three top-ten finishes in his three races including a good competition in Lillehammer where he finished in fifth place.
Smith commented on his selection, saying: “I'm really excited to have qualified for the World Cup again this year after a challenging start to the season. There will be an interesting dynamic to the sport this year with lots of athletes retiring and new faces on the circuit. I'm looking forward to a fresh start to the new Olympic cycle”.
Performance Adviser, Andi Schmid, also commented: “It is good to see Ed and Rose coming through with such strong performances at the ICC under the added pressure that having World Cup places at stake brings. We will now focus on that step up to the world cup”
Donna Creighton and David Swift, who were competing against McGrandle and Smith for the final two World Cup spots, will now remain on the Intercontinental Cup.
The first World Cup of the season begins next week (8 December) in Lake Placid, USA.
BRITISH SKELETON SQUADS 2014/15
WORLD CUP
Dominic Parsons (Age: 27, Place of birth: London)
Ed Smith (Age: 28, Place of birth: Bristol)
Laura Deas (Age: 25, Place of birth: Wrexham, North Wales)
Lizzy Yarnold (Age: 25, Place of birth: Maidstone)
Rose McGrandle (Age: 27, Place of birth: Milton Keynes)
INTERCONTINENTAL CUP
David Swift (Age: 29, Place of birth: Eastbourne)
Donna Creighton (Age: 29, Place of birth: Portsmouth)
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EUROPA CUP
 Jack Thomas (Age: 24, Place of birth: Liverpool)
 James Howard (Age: 25, Place of birth: Windsor)
 Jeremy Rice (Age: 23, Place of birth: High Wycombe)
 Kenny Howard (Age: 24, Place of birth: London)
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