Olympic gold rower turns bobsledder

OLYMPIC gold medallist, firefighter, America’s Cup winner.

Bobsledder?

That seems to be the surprising progression for Kiwi crosscode athlete Joe Sullivan, who announced on social media yesterday that he was jetting off to Canada to represent New Zealand at the North American Cup event on January 10 in Calgary.

The 31yearold Cantabrian will team up with experienced pilot Andy Williams, who has been competing in the event for four years, in the twoman bobsleigh.

Sullivan and Nathan Cohen won New Zealand’s first gold medal of the 2012 London Olympic Games, coming from behind to power home in the double sculls, finishing 1.13sec ahead of Italy.

Two years later Sullivan quit the sport, later linking up with Emirates Team New Zealand for its America’s Cup challenge in Bermuda in 2017.

Sullivan played a key part in reclaiming the Auld Mug from Oracle Team USA, despite having to adjust to life as a ‘‘cyclor’’ after the Kiwis’ radical decision to turn to pedal power for their 50foot foiling catamaran.

Sullivan, a firefighter by profession, told CNN shortly after the Bermuda triumph that he was committed to being part of Team NZ’s 2021 Cup challenge in Auckland, with a return to a grinding role aboard the more traditional 75foot foiling monohulls.

‘‘My life’s been in three completely different parts. It’s like I’ve ticked off the dream jobs of a 5yearold in New Zealand: Olympics, America’s Cup and a fireman,’’ Sullivan said.

‘‘What’s next? Well, the way the technology’s going, maybe an astronaut in 20 years’ time!’’ The New Zealand Herald

It’s like I’ve ticked off the dream jobs of a 5yearold . . .