The winners of the 2018 Sonny Samuelson Bobsled Race at Rossland Winter Carnival were the Albohaulics.
Driver Darrin Albo and his team of Ryan Kryski, Walker Sidoni and Keanan Patershuk placed third last year and fifth in 2016.
“Every year we’re close, so it’s just… You’re there whether you’re top three or the winner,” Albo said following the awards.
He was slightly less gracious during his acceptance speech.
“I’m sorry that the best team won again,” he told the crowd at the Ice Palace.
Albo also thanked all of the volunteers who made the event possible during his speech.
“We have to thank all the volunteers that helped out with the event. Kelly [Acheson] has been frigging amazing on this,” said Albo. “Seriously, if it wasn’t for Kelly and the rest of the crew….”
Other bobsled awards were also handed out, including “Most Honest” — or worst time that still finished — which went to Council’s Pipe Dream. The sled, teamed by Mayor Kathy Moore and councillors John Greene, Andy Morel and Aaron Cosbey, took over two and half minutes to complete each of its two runs.
But to their credit, there were other sleds that didn’t finish and had to be pushed off the course because they’d come to a standstill.
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There was also one accident on the course this year.
One of the bobsledder’s on A Hue Too Many had to be transported to hospital by ambulance after the sled crashed and according to a representative from Rossland Search and Rescue — who were on course providing crowd control during the race — suffered bruises and a concussion.
After four people, including one spectator, were injured in last year’s race, the organizers of the bobsled race took steps to increase safety this year.
“It really went well. We beefed up the course, we redid the way we construct it, we had safety and security in mind for both the racers and the spectators,” said Kelly Acheson, bobsled organizer. “We had one accident; they’re all doing OK.”
This year 34 bobsleds participated in the race and Acheson said the event will be back next year.
