Bobsledding in May

Once again I have had the chance to do something completely new and unique compliments of a work offsite. This past week, I got to go bobsledding on the Olympic course in Utah (site of the 2002 and upcoming 2034 Olympics). 

Before I tell my story, here are a few bobsledding fun facts: 

• There are currently only 16 bobsled tracks in operations today, three of which are in the US and four are in Germany. This might explain Germany’s dominance of the sport every four years at the Winter Olympics
• An Olympic bobsled course is generally 1,200 to 1,500 meters long, must include a vertical drop of at least 100 meters and must have at least 15 curves, a straight section and a labyrinth. After that it is up to each location to design what they want. The one in Utah is 1 mile long with 15 turns. 
• Most people don’t start as bobsledders. Athletes from other sports like rugby, football and track and field typically transition over to bob sled after their first careers are over. As a result the average age of a bobsledder is 28 years old with top athletes still competing in their 40s.  This past Olympics, Elana Meyers Taylor (USA) won the gold medal at 41 years old.
• And finally, the gold medal run time for bobsledding in the 2002 Olympics was 46 seconds for men and 48.8 seconds for women 

And now on to my story. 

On Wednesday, our group of 40 headed up from Salt Lake City to the Utah Olympic Park where visitors can bobsled, mountain sled and slide down the ski jump on an inner tube. 

Without thinking about my motion sickness or general lack of love for rollercoaster-like things, I signed up for the bobsled. These limitations and concerns were only pointed out to me on the drive up the mountain. And at that point, there was no way I was backing out. 

Before actually going down the course we had a “training” which consisted of a veteran bobsledder giving us our pre-run briefing at the top of the hill. To set the stage, imagine every action movie out there that includes a preflight briefing of elite fighter pilots that will save the day. We were all seated in folding chairs arranged in five rows of 10 chairs on a concrete slab with the bobsled track and a decommissioned bobsled just behind our instructor. Our instructor completed the experience: he had all of the swagger from an officer from Top Gun, complete with a million dollar white teeth smile, tan face, buzz cut hair and fun commentary about g-force pressures on your body and how your neck will turn you into a bobble head if not properly positioned. From the briefing we then got into groups of three to run the course (I say three since it was three guests plus a driver for each run).  I got teamed up with the head of EMEA, Emma, and a Brit who now lives in New York, John M. 

While the groups lined up and the first bobsled got into position, I had the sudden urge to go pee.  A fact that everyone made fun of until it got closer to their turn and suddenly I didn’t look so foolish.  Back in line, my group was quickly reaching the front. Nerves and anxiety and a newly empty bladder that still needed to pee were set aside for logistics: the balaclavas that we wore under the helmets gave it the levity needed and the very close sitting situation once in the bobsled led to more than a few off-color jokes (gotta love the Brits) 

Buckled in, required position achieved and we were off.  As promised the first three turns were mellow and that of a state fair roller coaster.  Turn four heated things up and by turn five we were maxing out at 71 miles per hour.  

And after 58 seconds it was over. I got out a little woozy, with weak knees, a little punch drunk, and a strong desire to do it again.

At 59.7 seconds we were only 10 seconds off of the gold time. And at 45 years old, there may still be hope!

In case you are interested you can check out my run on their youtube channel here. Fast forward to minute 26, I am in the grey sweatshirt with a black vest.