Julie Corrente Makes Bobsleigh History
Chatham’s Julie Corrente made bobsleigh history this weekend, competing as part of the first ever women’s team in a four-man bobsleigh event – Photo from Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton
“The ruling by our international federation immediately increased opportunities for our female athletes, and things have progressed quickly since September,” said Sarah Storey, president of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton about the decision to let women compete in a news release.
“We’ve gone from mixed-gender sleds to, now, an all-female sled competing in four-man races at the international level. As our Canadian athletes continue to lead the charge in what may ultimately result in an all-women’s four-man competition one day, we hope this progression also inspires young women at all levels to chase their sport dreams.”
The event which took place in Park City, Utah, saw Corrente compete as a part of a Canadian crew alongside Alysia Rissling (Calgary), Courtenay Farrington (Calgary), and Josee Theoret (Airdrie, Alberta). They were later followed down the track at the FIBT sanctioned event by an all-woman team from the USA.
Corrente and her team finished 7th in the 8 team event, finishing 3.48 seconds back of the eventual winners from Brazil.
The event, which is part of the North American Cup races on the 2002 Olympic track.
Corrente has been piloting a two-woman sled on the North American Cup circuit this season. Friday, Corrente completed the North American Cup season in third place overall, finishing 7th in her race Sunday, piloting a sled with Josee Theoret.