28 Feb 2009

Bobsleigh team without driver after crashing in practice

7:03 am on 28 February 2009

A crash during practice which has left driver Allan Henderson injured has forced the New Zealand bobsleigh team to withdraw from the world champs in Lake Placid in the United States.

Henderson injured his back and while not serious has forced the team out of what was to be their first world competition.

The team have only been together for a few months and were aiming for a top 16 finish.

Meanwhile top New Zealand skeleton athlete Tionette Stoddard has finished 13th in her first race in the skeleton competition, an improvement on her world ranking of 16th.

She races again on Saturday and is aiming for a top 10 finish.