James McNaughton

Biography

A former university football player, James McNaughton found himself drawn to bobsleigh in the lead-up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games when he attended his first recruitment camp. He began competing internationally in 2011-12, when he graduated from the developmental Europa Cup circuit to the elite World Cup circuit mid-season.

McNaughton spent his first full season on the World Cup in 2012-13. He also competed at his second straight world championships as a member of the four-man sled piloted by Justin Kripps.

PERSONAL

Getting into the Sport: Starting bobsledding at age 23… Attended a bobsleigh recruitment camp in Calgary leading up to the Vancouver 2010 Games… Was drawn by the chance to wear Canadian colours and compete on the biggest stages in sport around the world… Outside Interests: Graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2011 with a Bachelor of Health Sciences… Played varsity football for the Gee-Gees…During the season plays a lot of the card game President with teammates… During the off-season enjoys outdoor activities at the cottage such as ATVing, wakeboarding and fishing… Also organizes a fundraiser golf tournament during the off-season… Odds and Ends: Favourite Olympic memory is the men’s gold medal hockey game at Vancouver 2010… Credits his high school football coaches Heath Weir, Al Rover and John Lamm as his role models in sport… Listens to country music to relax him pre-competition… Stays loose by cracking jokes with teammates before racing… Collects shot glasses from every country he visits and exchanges them with his sister…