Pumped up by the inclusion of three former track sprinters and a rugby player, the New Zealand bobsleigh team have the potential for a top 10 finish at next month's world championships in the United States.
Chris Donaldson, 33, a former national 100m champion, Tom Davie, Willie Trew (all Otago) and Sam Higgie (Auckland) will provide the muscle for Britain-based driver, Alan Henderson, in the two and four-man events at the world championships.
Wellington's Carl Condliffe will be the reserve for both events.
Donaldson, Davie and Higgie come from a sprinting background in athletics, and Trew from rugby. All were picked after a nation-wide talent search less than a year ago.
The New Zealand team scored two third places in America's Cup races in Canada late last year, setting a national push time record of 5.28sec along the way.
New Zealand coach Gerd Grimme said the world championships team were picked based on the results of the America's Cup season, combined with physical testing in Dunedin last week.
Team composition for the two events will be decided before competition bgan at Lake Placid from February 16-March 1.
Given current performances, winter programme director Ashley Light said the team would be looking for a top 10 finish at the the world championship.
"Racing and test results suggest we should expect some positive results," Light said.
"The worlds will offer excellent experience for the team in their preparation for selection for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010."
