WA bobsled athletes Lucas Mata and David Mari have wrapped up their 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics campaign with a 25th ranked effort in the four man discipline.
The quartet, piloted by Mata, were unsuccessful in their bid to make the top 20 and earn a fourth run of the Winter Games, but Mata said the boys left everything they had on the track at the Alpensia Sliding Centre.
“Yeah we pushed as best we could. I drove probably the best run I’ve done this season,” Mata said.
“We can’t be upset with that. The boys are pumped up and we’re fired up so it’s really good to end on that note.”
With a total time of 02:29.7 seconds across the three runs, the Aussies finished just over three seconds behind Germany’s frontrunners who were piloted by Francesco Friedrich.
Despite not achieving his top 20 goal, Mata said his second Olympic experience left his Sochi 2014 debut for dead, describing his 2018 campaign as “phenomenal.”
“The team vibe has been tenfold to what it was last time and I’m just happy all around.
“I am feeling proud. We had a tough six months, but this has been the best bobsleigh year I’ve ever had so I’m happy.”
Before committing to another Olympic cycle, Mata said he would have to consult with his fiancé.
“Might have to talk to the misses about that. I don’t know.
“I want to continue but I don’t know what avenue I want to take whether it’s coaching or continuing as an athlete for another four years. We will have to reflect and we don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Jessica Yeaton was the final Australian in action at PyeongChang, with the cross-country skier recording a 42nd effort in the women’s 30km Mass Start Classic.
Yeaton – who enjoyed a busy schedule on Olympic debut – clocked a time of 1:40:54.8 over the gruelling course, with the gold medal awarded to race winner Marit Bjoergen of Norway. Finland’s Krista Parmakowski was second, ahead of bronze medallist Stina Nilsson of Sweden.
Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman commended the Australian team as the best he has experienced, a bold call given his personal association ranges back to Lillehammer 1994.
“This is the best Australian winter team I have ever taken away in terms of the quality of the people and the performances they have given,” Chesterman said.
“Our results on the field of play have been outstanding, and each member has represented their country with distinction – it is a team the whole country can be proud of. We’ve matched the number of medals previously won, and demonstrated a depth of elite results that we have not seen before.”
“We had a total of 12 medals before these games, with five athletes having won two each.”
“Now we have a new era. For the first time we have three new medal winners at one Games. Our medallists are 22, 23 and 23 – and we can expect all to be back in Beijing in 2022.”
Chesterman was also effusive in his praise for Korea’s organisation and hosting of the 2018 Winter Games.
“PyeongChang must be congratulated for putting on a wonderful Olympic Winter Games. Everything worked, the Koreans were so friendly and helpful, and the venues were superb,” he said.
- AOC
