Ignite Support British Skeleton’s ‘Talent Squad’ for 2018 Winter Olympics

July 5, 2013

Innovation consultancy, thumb Ignite, ampoule  has announced it will support the young athletes of the British Skeleton team on their journey to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

The 5-year sponsorship deal worth £100k will specifically focus on British Skeleton’s Talent Squad which is currently made up of 6 athletes aged between 22-24 years old.  The current squad were selected through talent identification programmes including UK Sport’s Power2Podium initiative in 2011. The squad has now completed their first non-competition season on ice completing 150 training runs on 5 different tracks across the USA and Europe.  The athletes have relocated to the sport’s training base in Bath and following a full summer training programme, ed they will compete for GB on the Europa Cup and NAC Circuits when the 2013/14 season begins in October.

Commenting on the partnership, Mark Long, Director at Ignite said: “We are excited to be partnering with British Skeleton at a time when the sport has so much potential.  The Talent Squad is so hungry to learn their trade and we can relate to their commitment and enthusiasm in the pursuit of excellence.  As a sport they show great creativity in providing the very best support for their athletes and I hope we can add value and help identify new opportunities that will support the team’s growth and success in the future.”

David Henwood, Commercial Director for British Skeleton said: “We are delighted to welcome Ignite to the British Skeleton family as Official Talent Squad Partner.  As a sport we recognise how important it is to invest in the future and provide the necessary support and guidance to our young athletes starting out in the sport.  We are excited about the talent in this group of sliders and now through this new partnership with Ignite, can ensure we give them every chance of success in the future.”

The current Talent Squad Team is made up of 1 female athlete: Jor’dan McIntosh (22 from Derby) and 5 male athletes: James Howard (24 from Windsor), Kenny Howard (not related – 23 from Weymouth), Jeremy Rice (22 from High Wycombe), Jack Thomas (23 from Liverpool) and Thomas Walker (24 from Leeds).