Briton Williams helmet protest rejected

Mark Staniforth,Pa
Friday 19 February 2010 06:34 EST
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Amy Williams remains on track for an Olympic gold medal after a protest lodged by the United States team over the design of her helmet was thrown out by Bobsleigh Federation officials.

The American team objected to the spoiler on the back of Williams' helmet which they claimed breached an article of the federation's rule-book which deems that a helmet has to be without any additionally attached aerodynamic elements.

But after a protest meeting the federation issued a statement which read: "The protest was denied because the helmet in question was inspected by the jury. According to the helmet manufacturer the spoilers are an integral part of the helmet."

The failed protest means Williams is free to defend her first place after the first two runs of the women's skeleton competition in Whistler on Friday night.

Williams holds a 0.30 second lead going into the last two runs of the competition.

A British Olympic Association spokesman said: "We were always entirely comfortable that we had the documentation that was needed in order to prove that the helmet complied with the regulations."

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