The Jamaican bobsleigh team is about to hit the Whistler Sliding Centre and get their muscles and minds ready for February 2010.
This weekend, the renowned Caribbean Winter Olympic team is trekking to their new headquarters in Pemberton where they will stay as they practice for the Whistler World Cup in February and other races across the globe in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
“We are delighted to be hosting the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team here in our beautiful town,” said Mayor Jordan Sturdy, who along with community residents invited the team to stay in Pemberton.
“We are all great fans of their story and legacy, and especially admire their great competitive spirit. We are confident that Pemberton’s ideal location near all the world-class facilities that they will need to prepare for the World Cup as well as the Olympics will be a contributing factor in the team’s success over the next year.”
The five members of the Jamaican team — Wayne Thomas, Hannukkah Wallace, Joel Alexander, Marvin Dixon, Garnett Jones and Wayne Blackwood — will arrive at Vancouver International Airport on Saturday, Dec. 13, and travel to Pemberton and the Whistler Sliding Centre Sunday.
Devon Harris, the captain of the first Jamaican bobsleigh team featured in Disney’s film Cool Runnings, will also be part of the entourage over the next few days.
The president of the Jamaican Bobsleigh Federation gave his thanks to Pemberton this week.
“We are confident our time in Pemberton will allow us to focus and prepare better than anywhere else in the world for our upcoming events as we go all out for the next Olympics,” said Dudley C. Talmage Stokes.
