“This was a fun race for me, and I’m feeling really good about today’s result,” Tomlinson said. “I’m learning more each day I go down the track here, and the conditions were amazing thanks to the track crew.”

Tomlinson claimed her first U.S. National Championship title today after runs of 57.48 and 57.94 for a total time of 1:55.42, despite falling at the start before the second heat and cutting her knee.

“I don’t know many people who’ve fallen before they’ve gone down the track, but I had a little accident and slipped while going to the start line,” Tomlinson said with a laugh. “I felt good that I was able to compose myself and focus on my run. I learned a lot about myself, and I’m excited about competing on the Intercontinental Cup circuit in North America.”

World Cup athlete Annie O’Shea (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) had the second fastest combined time in today’s competition (1:55.54), but was disqualified for being one kilogram overweight.

“My goal was to come back to Lake Placid and to have two consistent runs, which I did during training,” O’Shea said. “Today was disappointing, but like Orvie [Garrett, skeleton head coach] said, it’s better that it happened now rather than in a World Cup competition. Now I’m looking forward to the remainder of the season, and my main goal is to win Junior World Championships.”

Junior World Championships will take place in Igls, Austria from February 4-10.

Finishing second was Amanda Bird (Cohoes, N.Y.), former National Team skeleton athlete and current Marketing and Communications Manager for the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (a.k.a.: me), with a total time of 2:00.69 after runs of 1:00.32 and 1:00.37.

“I had a blast getting back on the ice,” I said. “I have so much respect for the dedication these athletes put into this sport, and it was a great opportunity for me to once again experience the thrill of sliding. Today was a two-minute reminder of why I love my job.”

Mandy Jenkins (Wallkill, N.Y.) began sliding this fall, and finished with the bronze medal today after runs of 1:01.86 and 1:02.63 for a combined time of 2:04.49. Jenkins will return to Lake Placid this February to slide in the development program.

U.S. National Championships was more than a race for the title in the men’s field, but also a race for the third World Cup position on the team. By winning the title today, Smith kept his spot on the team for the second half of the season.

“I wanted to correct the mistakes I made here during the World Cup race, which I did,” Smith said. “It was definitely a relief, and hopefully I can carry this momentum into the second half of the season.”

Smith slid identical runs of 55.46 seconds in the two-heat race for a combined time of 1:50.92 to take the gold.

“My focus was staying on the World Cup team,” Smith said. “I realized I needed to worry about the track and the job in front of me, and not anything or anyone else.”

Current World Cup leader and four-time National Champion Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.) finished second with a total time of 1:50.98. Bernotas had runs of 55.58 and 55.40, second and first fastest of the competition, respectively, finishing just 0.06 seconds from the lead.

“Racing today was a good opportunity to get back into race mode and refresh myself,” Bernotas said. “It’s like a tune-up race. We start to feel good by the time we race in the third World Cup competition, but then we go right into a break, which is tough. So this competition was important, because it gave me the chance to get back into the rhythm of competition.”

John Daly (Smithtown, N.Y.) had the third fastest overall time (1:51.66), but was disqualified for being overweight. Finishing with the bronze was Intercontinental Cup slider Matt Antoine (Prairie du Chien, Wis.) with a combined time of 1:51.87 after runs of 55.98 and 55.89.

The World Cup team will race again in Cesana, Italy from Jan. 14-20, while the Intercontinental Cup and America’s Cup teams will compete in Park City, Utah from Jan. 6-13. Don’t miss the World Cup action LIVE and on-demand on www.nbcsports.com, courtesy of Media Zone.

Results:
Women’s Skeleton
1. Keslie Tomlinson 1:55.42 (57.48, 57.94); 2. Amanda Bird 2:00.69 (1:00.32, 1:00.37); 3. Mandy Jenkins 2:04.49 (1:01.86, 1:02.63); 4. Liz Swaney 2:13.48 (1:06.41, 1:07.07; Annie O’Shea 1:55.54 (57.57, 57.97) DSQ;

Men’s Skeleton
1. Caleb Smith 1:50.92 (55.46, 55.46); 2. Eric Bernotas 1:50.98 (55.58, 55.40); 3. Matt Antoine 1:51.87 (55.98, 55.89); 4. Luke Schulz 1:52.73 (56.11, 56.62); 5. Kyle Tress 1:52.82 (56.27, 56.55); 6. Chris Burgess 1:53.57 (56.75, 56.82); 7. Ralph Mirabelli 1:56.75 (58.65, 58.10); 8. Jeff Kempa 1:57.91 (58.86, 59.05); John Daly 1:51.66 (55.66, 55.40) DSQ;

About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: Allianz Life, Columbia Sportswear Company, Speedo, CW-X, KBC Helmets, ULU Boots, Racing Electronics, Schenker Logistics, Lumber Liquidators and Whelen Engineering. For more information, please visit the USBSF Web site at www.usbsf.com.

Source

Post from: EveryJoe

Press Release | Tomlinson and Smith Claim U.S. National Championship Titles

U.S. Skeleton National Championships will take place on Jan. 2, with the Chevy Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, presented by Whelen Engineering, on Jan. 3-5.

The 2008 National Champion will be decided in a two-heat race format, with the lowest combined time determining the winner in both the men’s and women’s field. Competition will take place on Wednesday from 10:15 am- 12:15 pm.

Top competitors to watch will be current World Cup leader and four-time National Champion Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.), who shaved 0.31 seconds off the track record for the gold medal in the men’s skeleton World Cup competition in Lake Placid on Dec. 14.

Bernotas will battle World Cup athlete Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.) for the national title. Smith won the World Cup silver medal in Lake Placid during the 2006-07 season, and will be eager to claim gold on his home track.

Other athletes vying for the title will be Intercontinental Cup (IC) slider Matt Antoine (Prairie du Chien, Wis.), who was the previous track-record holder in Lake Placid. Kyle Tress (Trenton, N.J.) has proven himself on the IC as one of the fastest push athletes in the world, adding to the competitive men’s field.

Athletes in the mix for the title in the women’s competition will be rookie World Cup athlete Annie O’Shea (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.), and IC sliders Keslie Tomlinson (Potomac Falls, Va.) and Rebecca Sorensen (Fort Collins, Colo.).

O’Shea made a statement in her first-ever World Cup competition in Calgary, Alberta by placing tenth, and finished the first half of the 2007-08 season ranked 11th in World Cup points. Tomlinson is currently ranked seventh in IC standings, just 20 points from the top six. Sorensen, who once held the track record in Lake Placid, will look to reclaim the fastest time on the 19-curve track in search of her first national title.

The 3rd Annual Chevy Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, presented by Whelen Engineering, will follow the U.S. Skeleton National Championships, taking place January 3-5 at the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid.

Racecar divers will once again trade their steering wheels for the D-rings of modified bobsleds, navigating their way down the icy chute of the 2009 World Championship track as a fundraiser for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc., which builds Made in America bobsleds for the U.S. team.

Daytona 500 winner Geoff Bodine became interested in helping the U.S. Bobsled Team after watching the 1992 Winter Olympics, where American athletes competed in foreign made sleds. Dedicated to building Made in America sleds with NASCAR technology, Bodine teamed with Bob Cuneo of Chassis Dynamics to build the most technologically advanced sleds in the world.

Bodine and Cuneo founded the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc., which has since resulted in four Olympic medals, including one gold in women’s bobsled at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, 17 World Cup medals in the 2006-07 season, and two overall World Cup titles.

The racecar drivers will compete in two races during the Chevy Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, presented by Whelen Engineering. Each race will consist of two heats, with the lowest combined time determining the winner. The first competition of the event will be broadcast on SPEED Channel Jan. 20 from 12-2 pm, while the second race will air on Jan. 27 from 2-4 pm.

Fans will have a chance to meet their favorite drivers during an autograph session and Live Auction, scheduled on Saturday, Jan. 5 between races at the Olympic Sports Complex.

Sled sponsors for this year’s event include: Whelen Engineering, Lumber Liquidators, Lucas Oil, PPG, Racing Electronics and Yamaha. To find out how you can contribute to the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc., or become a future Geoff Bodine Challenge sponsor, please visit www.bodynbobsled.com for additional information.

Media interested in attending the 3rd Annual Chevy Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge should contact Sandy Caligiore (sandyc@orda.org) or Stephanie Ryan (sryan@orda.org) from the Olympic Regional Development Authority at (518) 523-1655.

This week’s schedule of events is as follows, with all times listed in EST:

Wednesday, January 2
10:15-12:15 U.S. Skeleton National Championships

Thursday, January 3
10:00-1:00 Lake Placid Bobsled Experience Public Rides
2:30 Geoff Bodine Challenge Practice Session
4:00 Gates Close

Friday, January 4
9:00 Gates Open
9:30 Bodine Bobsled Challenge Practice Session
2:30 Bodine Bobsled Challenge Qualifying
4:00 Gates Close
6:30 Dinner and Silent Auction at Crowne Plaza

Saturday, January 5
8:00 Gates Open / Fan Zone Opens / Food Court Opens
9:45 Pre-Race Ceremonies
10:00 Bodine Bobsled Challenge Race 1
12:00 Victory Lane Celebration / Autograph Session / Live Auction
1:45 Pre-Race Ceremonies
2:00 Bodine Bobsled Challenge Race 2
3:30 Victory Lane Celebration
4:00 Gates Close

Sunday, January 6
10:00 Lake Placid Bobsled Experience Public Rides

About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: Allianz Life, Columbia Sportswear Company, Speedo, CW-X, KBC Helmets, ULU Boots, Racing Electronics, Schenker Logistics, Lumber Liquidators and Whelen Engineering. For more information, please visit the USBSF Web site at www.usbsf.com.

Author:
Amanda Bird

Organization:
U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

Phone:
518-523-1842 ext. 106

Source

Post from: EveryJoe

Press Release | New Year Begins with U.S. Skeleton National Championships, etc.

January 25, 1924

It was held in France, 83 years ago!

But, of course, they didn’t know what it was while it was going on. The IOC just named it as such afterwards. Originally, the competition was called International Sports Week 1924.

Trivia: First event to be decided on was the men’s 500m speed skating where Charles Jewtraw (US) won the first gold.

There were 258 athletes (11 women, 247 men) of 16 nations competed in 16 events of 6 sports (Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Curling, Ice Hockey, Skating and Skiing).

Source: www.olympic.org

Post from: EveryJoe

When was the 1st Winter Olympic Games Held?

Who hasn’t heard of the legendary Jamaican Bobsled Team that competed during the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary? I sure have. But alright, it’s mainly due to the Walt Disney movie, Cool Runnings that immortalised their first ever effort at the sport during the Olympics.

They reminded me of the fact that Olympics isn’t just about the sport but also about the people behind it. Athletes, coaches, and, of course, the millions of supporters that the team have in their respective countries. Everyone has their own story to tell.

Training hard for the Olympics brings all the elements together to come up with a spectacular showing of sportsmanship and camaraderie between and among teammates and competitors. It’s a glorious sight.

The Jamaican Bobsled team is a good example of discipline and passion to achieve what most people may have assumed impossible. They overcomed hardships and paved a way for future athletes of the sport to compete.

It makes you wonder how amazing the things that the Olympics has inspired people to do and achieve.

ReggaeBoyz | Jamaicans

Post from: EveryJoe

The Jamaican Bobsled Team

American Pilot Shauna Rohbock and Braker Valerie Fleming took America’s first ever medal (Silver) at the event. A Silver that feels more like a Gold indeed.

A flying start for the American Women Bobsled Team (Source: NBC)

Italy’s Gerde Weissensteiner and Jennifer Isacco took the Bronze.

There was a scare at the events when the bobsled of Ilse Broeders and Jeannette Pennings of the Netherlands flipped over. The two escaped serious injuries but were out of contention due to the accident.

Post from: EveryJoe

Kiriasis and Schneiderheinze (GER) rode a bullet to victory

Canada’s Pierre Lueders captured an Olympic silver medal Sunday in the two-man bobsleigh competition in Cesana Pariol, Italy.

Under heavy snowfall, Lueders and brakeman Lascelles Brown powered their sled down the Italian track for a four-run time of three minutes, 43:59 seconds.

Germany’s Andre Lange and Kevin Kuske won the gold medal while the Swiss team of Martin Annen and Beat Hefti earned bronze.

Lueders, of Edmonton, won a gold medal with CBC bobsleigh analyst Dave McEachern at the 1998 Nagano Games, giving Canada its first Olympic bobsleigh title since 1964 when Vic Emery’s four-man team upset the favoured European countries.

[..more..]

Here are the Final Results (after 4 heats)

1 – GER – LANGE Andre / KUSKE Kevin (GER-1) 3:43.38
2 – CAN – LUEDERS Pierre / BROWN Lascelles (CAN-1) 3:43.59
3 – SUI – ANNEN Martin / HEFTI Beat 3:43.73 (SUI-1) 3:43.73

Results of other Canadian Team

11 – CAN – DESPRES Serge / BISSETT David (CAN-2) 3:45.67

Post from: EveryJoe

Canada gets Silver in two-man bobsleigh competition

Brazilian bobsledder Armando dos Santos is the first athlete thrown out of the Torino Olympic Winter Games for failing a drug test.

[..more..]

Post from: EveryJoe

Brazilian bobsledder tests positive