Laura Hamilton eliminated from The Jump

31 January 2014

DONAL MACINTYRE FACES THE JUMP AFTER FAILING TO GET IN THE BOBSLEIGH.

LAURA HAMILTON BECOMES THE FIFTH COMPETITOR TO LEAVE COMPETITION.

SIR STEVE REDGRAVE TOPS THE LEADER BOARD BUT MISSES THE SHOW AS HE TAKES HIS FIRST FALL ON SKIS AFTER MONTHS OF TRAINING.

 

Tonight for the first time all of the competitors were in the running to be top the leader board as the brave men and women finally faced each other in Two Man Bobsleigh.  Teamed with a professional to steer them along the high speed track, the competitors had to put all they could into a powerful sprint before jumping into the bobsleigh and flying down the track to hold on to their place in the competition.

There was a fantastic start to the battle of the sexes with Ritchie Neville’s time being just tenths of a second slower than Kimberly Wyatt. Kimberly said “There are some real athletes out there and I want to be right up there with them.”

In a split screen view of their run, there was just 100th of a second between Marcus Brigstocke and Joe McElderry’s times down the course, with the X Factor winner just about beating the comedian.

Sir Steve Redgrave topped the leader board with an amazing run over a second faster than second place Kimberly.  However, Sir Steve was not at tonight’s show to celebrate his win after he took his first fall since starting to train for the show today.  Whilst attacking the ski cross course in training, he took on a roller, wiped out and was badly winded.  He has been taken to hospital for a precautionary check up and missed tonight’s show. After some rest, all being well he will be back tomorrow night.

After officially joining the competition just last night, Donal MacIntyre found himself facing the jump.  In a disastrous attempt at Bobsleigh, Donal failed to even get in the sled which meant he was disqualified and instantly at the bottom of the leader board.

Joining Donal in the jump was Laura Hamilton. Tonight simply wasn’t her night as she finished just 100th of a second slower than Anthea Turner and found herself at the top of the middle jump (K24) alongside Donal to fight for her place in the competition.  Laura said “I’m ready for it.”

Both Laura and Donal looked confident after weeks of intensive training and took on the jump with gusto.  Donal went first and cheered on by the crowd below took flight with ease and managed to jump 13.5m.  Laura followed and jumped 13m.

With Laura landing half a meter shorter than Donal, she became the fifth famous face to leave The Jump and said “I’m really happy with everything I’ve achieved. I can’t wait to cuddle my baby, Rocco.”

 

The results table:

Sir Steve Redgrave – 58.46 seconds
Kimberly Wyatt – 59.56 seconds
Ritchie Neville – 59.66 seconds
Joe McElderry – 59.87 seconds
Marcus Brigstocke – 59.88 seconds
Anthea Turner – 1.00.24 minute
Laura Hamilton – 1.00.25 minute
Donal MacIntyre – DQ

 

Tonight it was revealed that the small (K15) jump is no longer an option for the competitors, so it’s the middle (K24) and biggest (K40) jumps they must take on going forward if they want to make it to Monday night’s final.

On Friday night’s show all the competitors will battle it out head to head in Speed Skating. The Jump will return tomorrow night at 9pm on Channel4.

ENDS 

 

For further information and interviews with the competitors, please contact:
Samantha Elliott / 07720 497 399 / 020 7306 3769 / selliott@channel4.co.uk
Denize Belingy / 07834 334 166 / 07941 281 186 / dbelingy@channel4.co.uk
Kate Conway/ 020 7306 3751/ kconway@channel4.co.uk

For pictures, please go to: www.channel4.com/info/press  

Clips of tonight’s jumps will be available shortly and preview clips from tomorrow night’s event will be available first thing tomorrow from www.youtube.com/channel4
Further information on the series is available at www.channel4.com/thejump