John James Jackson

John Jackson

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Personal information
Nationality	British
Born	(1977-04-11) 11 April 1977 Bishop Auckland, Durham, England, United Kingdom
Residence	Trowbridge
Height
Weight	106 kg (234 lb; 16.7 st)
Sport
Country	United Kingdom
Sport	Bobsleigh (pilot)
Club	GB Team
Medal record Men's Bobsleigh Representing United Kingdom Olympic Games World Championships World Cup European Championships 2014 Königsee Four-man Europa Cup 2011 St. Moritz Two-man 2011 St. Moritz Four-man 2011 St. Moritz Four-man World Junior Championships

John James Jackson (born 11 April 1977 in Bishop Auckland, England) is a British bobsledder and Royal Marines commando.

Career

He took up bobsleighing at the age of 28 and in September 2005 he trialled at the University of Bath and won a place in the Europa Cup Team. Just 4 months later he was selected to compete as a driver in the Europa Cup team. After his first successful season, he made his world cup debut as a driver in 2007. He became the British Champion in 2008. In 2011 John won gold and two bronze medals in the Europa Cup in St Moritz and was the first British man to ever do this.

Thereafter, Jackson has had a meteoric rise through the ranks that meant he was given the nod as the main British driver. Jackson's girlfriend Paula Walker is also involved in the bobsleigh sport. She too was recruited while serving in the British Armed Forces, in her instance with the Royal Signals. Paula has admitted several times the huge support that she gets from her family and John Jackson. In June 2014 the couple announced that they were expecting their first child together. Jackson has three daughters from a previous relationship.

In January 2014 Jackson led team-mates Joel Fearon, Stuart Benson and Bruce Tasker to a silver medal in the four-man event at the Bobsleigh European Championship.

Military service

Jackson joined the Royal Marines in 1996. He is currently an All Arms Physical Training Instructor (AAPTI) and holds the rank of sergeant.

Achievements

British Champion: 2008

World Championships:

• 9th in 2007 (4 man crew)
• 13th in 2008 (4 man crew)
• 22nd in 2009 (2 man crew)
• 17th in 2009 (4 man crew)
• 20th in 2011 (2 man crew)
• 10th in 2012 (4 man crew)
• 19th in 2013 (2 man crew)
• 5th in 2013 (4 man crew)

Winter Olympic Games

• 5th in 2014 (4 man crew)

John Jackson also achieved:

• 2006 Navy Novice Champion
• 2005 Army Novice Champion
• 2005 European Novice Push Championships: Bronze Medallist

References

• John James Jackson at the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation

External links

• http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/royal-marines/corporal-john-jackson/
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/winter_sports/9164897.stm
• http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/26022011/58/machata-leads-halfway-stage.html
• http://www.bobteamgb.org/menathletes/a/53/
• http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/sport/8865548.WORLD_CHAMPIONSHIPS__Wiltshire_competitors_help_GB_to_fourth/