TROWBRIDGE pilot John Jackson says he and his four-man crew gained a massive shot in confidence from their top-eight finish in the second FIBT World Cup meeting of the season last weekend.

Jackson, who has continued his comeback from a ruptured Achilles in the summer, finished well down the field in the opening round in Calgary last week, but delivered a vastly-improved display at Park City in Utah.

The 36-year-old, plus his crew of Craig Pickering, Bruce Tasker and Joel Fearon, were 14th fastest after clocking 47.62 on their opening run.

Their second run was only marginally faster, at 47.60, but was the second quickest overall as they moved up to eighth.

Jackson told the Wiltshire Times: “The result in Park City was a big improvement from last week.

“We went back to the sled we used last year and will be using it again this week (in Lake Placid), while the new sled is getting modifications made to it.

“I believe we are in a better position than we thought we would be at this point in the season.

“It has given both myself and the team a lot of confidence going into the next race.’’

Paula Walker, who lives with Jackson in Paxcroft Mead, achieved her second consecutive top-ten finish of the season as she and brakewoman Rebekah Walker came eighth in the women’s two-man event.

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