Mapp wins European Champs

Corie Mapp’s stunning start to the new para bob season continued on Saturday afternoon as he made it three wins in a row and claimed the European Championship crown in Oberhof.

Mapp was victorious for the second time in as many days in Germany after he also won the first of Oberhof’s back-to-back races on Friday morning. 

His success on Saturday means Mapp has now won three gold medals and a silver in four World Cup races since the season began in Lillehammer last week.

With the race doubling as the European showpiece, the 41-year-old former soldier claimed his first continental title, having previously won bronze in 2016/17 and silver two seasons ago.

“This week was a fantastic week. It was the culmination of an amazing year of sliding and a great start to the season so far,” said Mapp, who has also represented Great Britain at sitting volleyball and at the Invictus Games.

It’s always amazing to have your anthem played in your honour. I feel extremely proud to represent the country in my small way and even more proud to be European Champion. Long may it continue. 

“Now it’s home for a break to reflect and recharge to come back for successful second half of the season. No doubt it will be competitive.”

The para bob season now presses the pause button over the festive period before returning on January 24 and 25 in St Moritz, Switzerland.

There are 10 World Cup races in total this season, with double races in Lake Placid and Park City in the United States of America following Moritz in February of next year.

Mapp currently has an 82-point lead over his close friend and reigning World Cup winner, Lonnie Bissonnette, at the top of the world rankings.

The season ends with the World Championships back in Lillehammer in late March when Mapp will look to go one better than the silver medal he won in Placid last season.