Kelsea Purchall is a Youth Olympic medallist after taking bronze in the women’s monobob event today at Lillehammer 2016.
In snowy conditions in Norway, Purchall finished with a combined time of 1:57.67 from her two runs, 0.26 seconds off Germany’s Laura Nolte who took gold and 0.02 seconds shy of Mercedes Schulte from Austria who won silver.
Team GB’s Annabel Chaffey (1:57.82) and Aimee Davey (1:57.88) finished just shy of the podium positions in fourth and fifth respectively.
The 17-year-old from Exeter had come into the event ranked number one in the world and was delighted to win bronze after sitting outside the medals after her first run.
Kelsea Purchall said: “I’m amazed to win bronze and I didn’t think it was going to happen after my first run and sitting in fourth.
“I really had to buck my game up for the second run and knew I had to try harder and perform better.
“I put down a good second run and had my fastest ever start time so I’m really pleased with that – I don’t think I could have done any better.
“The whole atmosphere is amazing and hopefully now I can push onto the seniors and test myself at that level.
“I get such a buzz from driving sleds. I used to play a lot of rugby but I’ve really got the bug for bobsleigh and this is what I want to do.”
Annabel Chaffey said: “It’s a great result for me. I’ve been battling back from a hamstring injury this year and I wasn’t even sure I’d make the qualification races so to come fourth is really good.
"I’m just blown away really. It’s an amazing feeling to represent Team GB and wear the union jack helmet. Just wearing the suit and being involved is a special feeling.
“The whole Games has been an amazing experience – it’s been a real eye opener for the world of winter sport.”
Aimee Davey said: “I’m really happy with fifth position. I haven’t been in the sport for that long so to have this result is really pleasing.
“I’ve had excellent coaching and since I started on the programme I just haven’t stopped working and I guess you get out what you put in.
“When I came down after my second run and saw I was in first I was so happy. Last time I was here I dropped a couple of places so now is just an amazing feeling.
“The conditions are tough but there’s not much you can do with the snow. A lot of the track is covered which helps but you just have to do your best and work with it.”