Prospects for the US bobsled and skeleton teams have never looked so good as they start off a long season with the Vancouver Olympics squarely in their sights. These sports usually don't draw big TV audiences, but a few podium finishes can change all that fast. Look what happened to curling last time. Another RadXSports video.
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Find out what makes Bobsled and Skeleton so exciting...
Some winter sports only engage the public's interest every four years at the Olympics. That can be said for bobsled and skeleton. I really don't understand that. You know, sled riding is one of those special childhood treats. You'd think more people would enjoy the grown up version.
Bobsled and skeleton are run over the same course, which is nothing less than a mile long refrigerator with a 107 meter vertical drop and an average grade of 9.8 percent, your typical double black diamond. The sleds attain speeds up to 80 miles an hour with G-forces maxing out at over 5. The entire run is over in less than a minute.
Even though they share the same course, the two sleds and the athletes who ride them couldn't be more different. First, skeleton.
Nicole Pikus Pace is on her last go around in this Olympic year. A veteran sledder and medal contender, she is determined to savor every moment of the journey.
At the start the athletes focus their mind and bodies and try to calm their nerves for an intense minute of high speed sliding. It begins with a sprint over ice. An explosive start is critical for success in a sport where success is measured in 100ths of a second.
In World Cup competition only few seconds separates the winner from last place. Every slip, no matter how tiny, shaves precious ticks off the speeding clock. It takes years of dedication to shave 10ths of a second off your times.
John Daly has been at it for only six years. He's one of the talented young bloods on the American team looking for a breakout season and a trip to a podium in Vancouver.
Bobsled is an altogether different creature, even though it's run on the same course. The sled is the size of a sports car and nearly as complicated. Racing one is a team sport, with competition in 2- and 4-man teams. Each unit is supported by mechanics and technicians as well as coaches and trainers.
As with skeleton, the explosive sprint at the start is the critical first step to success. The sled riders work together, each with his or her own responsibility.
World Cup contests in an Olympic year determine the seeding at the big party. Lake Placid was the second stop on the tour this season and the American men lit up the podium, taking gold and silver in both the 2- and 4- man competition.
Sharing honors with Holcomb was newcomer John Napier, who never finished better than 10th before winning the 2-man and finishing behind Holcomb in the 4-man.
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Luge Training in Lake Placidby GerryPallor8,928 views
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