Bobsleigher Nicola Minichiello announces retirement

Former world bobsleigh champion Nicola Minichiello has retired.

She and Gillian Cooke became the first British women to win the world title in 2009, but the duo crashed out at the Vancouver Olympics a year later.

Minichiello now takes up a role as head development coach at the International Bobsleigh Federation (FIBT).

"Bobsleigh is right at the bottom of a big development phase - we're in a slightly different place and I think it's the right time," said Minichiello.

"I've been involved in elite sport for over 17 years and for me this is a decision that I have thought long and hard about."

Minichiello came to bobsleigh in 2001 after starting her sporting career as a heptathlete.

She competed at the last three Winter Olympics and won silver at the 2005 World Championships before going one better with Cooke four years later in Lake Placid, New York.

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