Bobsleigh bobby Neal slides to gold

Winners: Neal (right) and team mate Gary Smith (left) collect their medals from Robin Dixon, part of the team that won Britain’s only ever bobsleigh Olympic gold medal

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IT had been 30 years since Neal Killen had competed in the bobsleigh — but the lack of practice didn’t stop the Dobcross policeman scooping gold.

Neal and bobsleigh driver Gary Smith (48), from Peterborough, were only able to start practising - in a hired sled - five days before the start of the annual British Bobsleigh Championships in Austria.

But the dynamic duo held their nerve and slid to victory in the veterans’ section!

The two champions first met when competing in athletics events in the 90s, when they were both in the army. Both were selected for the bobsleigh because of their sprinting ability. SO when the two old friends met by chance at a reunion a year ago, they decided to team up again to compete for the British veterans’ title - their first time in a bobsleigh in nearly 30 years.

“It was very hard getting back into it after so long, but we took to it very well. We had no idea how well we would do. After the first few rounds we realised we were in with a shout, and we held our nerve and won!”

Now Neal and Gary are already planning the defence of their title next year!