Cooke eyes Commonwealth return after misery in Vancouver

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Posted: Saturday 27th February 2010 | 15:51

BRITISH brakewoman Gillian Cooke will fly home from the Olympics next week to make a decision about another medal bid at the Commonwealth Games later this year.

LOOKING AHEAD: After crashing out of the women's bobsleigh, brakewoman Gillian Cooke is setting her sights on qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi (Getty Images)

Cooke and pilot Nicola Minichiello arrived in Canada looking to add the Olympic to their bobsleigh world title - but only had bruises and injured pride to show for their endeavours, after a nasty crash at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

But Cooke believes she's in the shape to improve on her 6.43 metre long jump personal best and believes she could better her 11th place at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

"I'm keeping all my options open, I've not made a decision yet. The training's very similar for both," she said.

"If I'm going to go to Delhi in October I'll have to qualify in July, so realistically I've got a couple of weeks to make up my mind.

"I'm in shape to regain my required standard. I'm faster and stronger than I used to be because of my bobsleigh training. It's just a case of regaining the technical aspects. It's a bit like learning to ride a bike.

"The two sports are not a lot different. The physical qualities required are very similar. I love competition. I'm a very competitive animal. I just love to push myself to the limit."

Cooke has only been involved in the British Bobsleigh set-up for two years but has made the brakewoman position in the first choice sled her own.

Current driver Minichiello - a 31-year-old veteran of three Olympics - is refusing to make an immediate decision on her future but Cooke is already looking towards Sochi in four years time.

"I have no intention of giving up bobsleigh, I will carry on and hopefully that will be with Nicola," she added. "I love the sport and I really enjoyed working with Nicola. It's been fantastic.

"We've still got the confidence that we're one of the best in the world and we have plenty in the future we can aim for."

Great Britain's four-man crew of John Jackson, Dan Money, Allyn Condon and Henry Nwume complete the last two runs of their Olympic campaign on Saturday, having seen their hopes of a top ten finish evaporate after crashing in the second run.