Bobsleigh Brit bursts out of suit

BRITAIN'S bobsleigh world champions are bursting at the seams to claim a Winter Olympic medal in Vancouver next month, or least one of them is.

CHEEKY: Gillian Cooke's race suit comes apart at the seams at an inopportune moment in St Moritz

Gillian Cooke, brakewoman to Nicola Minichiello, was caught rather short at St Moritz last weekend and she no doubt felt the chill in the sub-zero Swiss temperatures.

In bracing herself for a turbo-charged start to the duo's run, Cooke's uber skin-tight all-in-one suit ripped open, revealing the Scot's derriere to the watching world.

The video of the untimely rip has become an overnight hit with the Swiss population, who have found the funny side of Cooke's misfortune.

To her credit and in true British fashion, Cooke was nonplussed by baring her backside and the duo recorded a creditable seventh-place finish in St Moritz.

Watching the video of the incident, there seems an inevitability to the split.  Making the most of aerodynamics is one thing but spare a thought for Cooke, now the butt of all jokes Swiss.

And shame on the official who is trying desperately hard to stifle his hysterics as he gawps at Cooke's G-string as she gets on with the task in hand.

Anyhow, I'm sure a true professional like Cooke, who along with Minichiello, claimed World Championships gold in Lake Placid last year won't be too bothered.

And you can bet your bottom dollar she wouldn't mind it happening again so long as the Brits reach the podium in Vancouver.