Canadian Olympic bobsled design revealed in partnership with Royal Canadian Navy
The Canadian navy will get a rare shoutout in China next month as Canada's Olympic sliding athletes are set to compete on sleds paying homage to historic warships at the Beijing Games.
The partnership between the Royal Canadian Navy and Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton has produced sleds designed with a Second World War-era disruptive paint scheme, also known as dazzle paint.
Bobsled Canada Skeleton says the blue-and-white design is meant to honour the sacrifices of Canadian sailors during the Second World War and celebrate those who continue to serve the country at sea.
"Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton is tremendously proud to be associated with the Royal Canadian Navy, which has a long, strong and honourable tradition of supporting and defending our country,” said Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton president Sarah Storey in a statement Thursday.
Canadian frigate HMCS Regina and coastal defence vessel HMCS Moncton donned the commemorative dazzle paint scheme in 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic.
The battle was the longest fight of the Second World War, in which dozens of Canadian ships were sunk by German vessels in the struggle for control over the North Atlantic from 1939 to 1945.
The Canadian bobsled and skeleton designs pictured with costal defence vessel HMCS Moncton. (Bobsled Canada Skeleton)
"Whether on the ice or at sea, the distinction of putting on a Canadian uniform drives commitment to the training, preparation, perseverance and teamwork required to perform under immense pressure while representing your country," Storey said.
"Sailors and athletes apply their tremendous skill – while working with specialized and purposefully designed equipment – to execute their missions with precision," she added. "We are united by the goal of making our team unstoppable, and our country proud."
Canada is sending three skeleton athletes and 18 bobsledders to the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The new sleds will be on display as Canadian skeleton athletes take to the track at the Yanqing Sliding Centre from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12, followed by bobsled from Feb. 13 to Feb 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's housing market sees largest improvement in affordability in four years: National Bank
Canada’s housing market saw the largest improvement in affordability in nearly four years in the first quarter of 2023, according to a report from economists at the National Bank of Canada.

Prison service to review decision to transfer killer Bernardo to medium security
The federal prison service says it will have a second look at its decision to move convicted killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility as political leaders of all stripes react to the news with shock and outrage.
About ducking time: Apple to tweak iPhone autocorrect function
One of the most notable happenings at Apple's event for developers on Monday is likely the iPhone maker's tweak that will keep its autocorrect feature from annoyingly correcting one of the most common expletives to 'ducking.'
Poilievre threatens to filibuster budget bill if Liberals don't meet demands
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
Here's what Quebec's wildfires look like from outer space
A photo taken from NASA show what the wildfires burning in Quebec look like from up above.
Facing evacuations due to a forest fire or flood? Here’s what to pack in a grab-and-go bag
While some natural disasters or bouts of extreme weather may require sheltering in place until authorities can restore power to the area, others require residents to evacuate quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours — and if you want to be prepared, you should create a grab-and-go bag.
Canada facing critical shortages of leukemia and thyroid cancer drugs
Canada is currently facing a critical shortage of drugs used to fight thyroid cancer and a form of leukemia.
Using melatonin for sleep is on the rise, study says, despite potential health harms
More and more adults are taking over-the-counter melatonin to get to sleep, and some may be using it at dangerously high levels, a study has found.
Small-brained ancient human cousins may have buried their dead, according to a surprising study
An ancient human cousin may have buried its dead and carved symbols into cave walls, surprising findings for a creature with a small brain.