V8 Supercar: James Courtney Signs-Up With JELD-WEN Saints
May 14, 2008
jamescourtney.com
St Kilda football club’s Aaron Fiora has often been described as a player with great speed, however yesterday he came face-to-face with another sportsman renowned for being fast – V8 Supercar driver James Courtney.
The Saints midfielder met Courtney, from JELD-WEN Motorsport, at Telstra Dome to present him with the number ‘4’ St Kilda guernsey, to match Courtney’s race car number, and a 2008 St Kilda Football Club membership.
Fiora and Courtney bo th had a kick on the Telstra Dome surface, Fiora impressed with Courtney’s football skills.
“James would definitely fit into the Saints midfield as a rover,” he said.
Courtney however, was content to leave the ball work to the AFL professional, saying he was more than comfortable to observe from the sidelines.
Although Courtney is happy to watch the Saints from afar, research undertaken in 2006 by Exercise Research Australia, the Victorian Institute of Sport, Intel Health and Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) revealed that the JELD-WEN Motorsport driver is at the equivalent fitness level of any elite footballer.
“The results of the tests showed James to be similar in aerobic fitness to athletes performing at an elite level in Australian football, soccer, rugby league and tennis,” said Dr Melissa Arkinstall, Director of Exercise Research Australia.
“James has invested significant training hours in order to perform at the highest physical level under extreme conditions.”
Courtney will return to Telstra Dome this week when St Kilda takes on Collingwood on Friday night and will also toss the coin at the beginning of the match.
