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26 February 2020
Corie Mapp wins Para-bobsleigh World Cup gold in St Moritz
Blesma Member Corie Mapp has his sights set on the prestigious para-bobsleigh title after an amazing start to the season.
The former Household Cavalry officer is going for Gold at the World Championships in March, after already bagging many first place and silver medals at tournaments this year. He has also become the first Briton to win a European Para-Bobsleigh title.
Corie was deployed to Afghanistan attached to the Vikings. In 2010, while on patrol a sergeant was shot. The troops ahead were pinned down by the Taliban and wanted someone to head to high ground and draw fire so they could get medical help. Corie was tasked to go, triggering an IED which led to a double below-knee amputation.
“Sport has been a massive part of my recovery. Without sport I would have gone downhill quickly – a lot of us would. Sport gave me something to get up for and to focus on. I was looking for the next evolution in my life, to support my new ‘normal’. I was picked to play volleyball for Great Britain and was put in a development programme for potential Paralympians. I was identified as a potential bobsleigh athlete in 2013. The coaches saw something in me!
Most of all, technical ability is vital. You must have good hand-eye coordination to drive a bob, along with the ability to be like a sponge and soak up information, to just learn. I crashed and got a concussion in one of my first runs – best avoided at almost 100mph! – but I gave it another go, and I won my first competitive race. My ambition is to go to the Paralympics in 2022 and win a medal.
Blesma is amazing. I’ve struggled at times to do certain things, and Blesma has given me the chance to pursue my sports in the way I want. They’ve supported my training, got me a vehicle, and came through for me at a critical time. I’m very grateful!”
“I hope I can inspire people from all walks of life, whether military or otherwise and continue to serve my country in the best way possible- by being a good sportsman and a role model for others.”
Corie also recently took part in the first-ever ‘push start race’ in the Empire State games at the Lake Placid track- securing the Silver! We wish to congratulate him, and wish him luck in all of his future endeavours.
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