WITH the stress of searching for financial backing to compete on the world stage no longer an issue, Mica Moore can give qualifying for next year’s Winter Olympics in South Korea her undivided attention.

It was revealed last week that the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) had withdrawn funding from its women’s bobsledders just five months before Pyeongchang 2018.

Mica McNeill, world junior champion alongside Newport’s Moore in January, immediately appealed for help through a crowdfunding website – a target of £30,000 was raised in a week.

Pilot McNeill has met the Olympic qualifying standard but she, and those brakewomen looking to partner her in Korea, including Moore, needed to race this season to secure a world ranking.

Moore, 24, appears to be in the box-seat to continue a flourishing partnership with McNeill which has yielded a handful of medals since the former took up the sport 12 months ago.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games sprinter finished top in pre-season push start testing and will begin the new World Cup campaign in November alongside McNeill.

And with the issue of funding now sorted, Moore can’t wait to get back on the ice and make the most of the public’s support.

“I definitely didn’t expect the money to come in as quickly as it did,” she said. “The support we have been given by the public has been amazing.

“It’s not just the donations but the kind words from people that we’re also really grateful for.

“I never thought the public would be so supportive of a minority sport like bobsleigh.

“My family and friends have been amazing. I really hope I can go out there and make them proud because they’ve all been sharing our story and getting us help.

“Someone donated £5,000 on the first day which was incredible. That really got the ball rolling and the donations started to come in quickly.

“We’re eternally grateful to everybody and don’t know how to begin to thank them.

“I’m hoping to do a vlog (video blog) during the season so people can see where their money has gone.”

She added: “We’re going on the ice now without the stress of thinking about funding.

“We can focus on our performance and making everyone proud.

“I’ll start the season with Mica and then there will be more testing in December to decide what happens after Christmas.

“I did have a good season last winter but I’m still quite new to bobsleigh and have got lots to work on.”