Olympics: Dallow out of two-man bobsleigh

Wellington bobsledder Robert Bruce is on standby to join New Zealand's Winter Olympic Games team at Salt Lake City.

Bruce will fly to the United States on Sunday if team member Matt Dallow fails a final fitness test on his fractured leg.

Dallow, 30, and based in Arizona, was ruled out of the two-man bobsleigh team last night and is racing against time to be fit to be a reserve for next week's four-man contest. He fractured a fibula bone in a fall on the ice while training in Canada late last month.

Normally a spiral fracture of the fibula would need six weeks rest, but Dallow had to begin light jogging on it this week if he was to be the brakeman for pilot Alan Henderson in the two-man bob.

Team chef de mission Geoff Balme told NZPA Dallow had been given a daily management programme for his recovery, but failed to meet fitness goals.

"It just wasn't strong enough," Balme said.

Balme said a reserve was virtually essential for the four-man bob in case one of the crew is injured in the four runs.

Dallow's place in the two-man contest which starts on Sunday is expected to be taken by Mark Edmond, 25, of Christchurch.

However, he will be rated alongside the other two team members at Salt Lake City, Angus Ross -- the brakeman at the last Games -- and Stephen Harrison.

- NZPA