Rhys Thornbury

Rhys Thornbury first tried skeleton in 2011 and immediately took to the high speed sport.

After gaining early success he contacted the New Zealand Bobsleigh and skeleton association and began sliding for New Zealand in 2012.

Thornbury made his World Cup debut in 2015 and since then has gone on to achieve multiple top 10 results, including a top 10 at the Olympic test event in PyeongChang in March 2017. Thornbury also recorded an 11th place at the 2017 World Champs in Konigssee, Germany. His record speed is 144kph, recorded at the Whistler track in Canada.

Thornbury is a member of the British Royal Air Force and is on its' elite athlete scheme, which allows serving personnel to focus on sport at an elite level.

Thornbury hopes to inspire and motivate young kids all over New Zealand and show that if you can dream it, you can do it.