"I feel that the girls will make the podium" was the Minister's optimistic assessment after her video conference this evening (Sunday) with Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian, Carrie Russell and Audra Segree — who are the first Jamaican women to qualify for the Bobsleigh competition at the Olympics; Chris Stokes, President of the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation; Leo Campbell, Chef de mission; and Dudley Stokes, Team Captain.

The competitors, Campbell and Dudley Stokes spoke with Minister Grange from South Korea.

Minister Grange said she was "confident that the team is ready."

The Minister congratulated the women on their historic achievement of qualifying for the Bobsleigh competition.  She told them that they had "already made a great impact" on the sport and that the entire Jamaica is supporting them.

Dudley Stokes told Minister Grange that this is the "best prepared" Bobsleigh team to represent Jamaica.

Minister Grange also expressed confidence over the performance of Anthony Watson who is due to become the first athlete to represent Jamaica in Skeleton at the Olympic Winter Games.  He received a late call up to the competition after several countries declined places for the Skeleton event.  Watson was still travelling to join the Jamaican contingent in South Korea at the time of the video conference.

Chris Stokes hailed the video conference with Minister Grange.  "In terms of getting the athletes mentally prepared to represent.

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