The US Bobsled & Skeleton Federation, the National Governing Body for the Olympic sports of Bobsled & Skeleton, is looking for our next Olympians.  If you’ve got great speed and strength, we might need you to give us that extra push.

BOBSLED
In bobsled racing, a fast start is critical for setting a fast time.  We recruit push athletes (men and women athletes on the team who are not drivers) from strength and speed sports, such as track & field, football, soccer and weightlifting.  If you have great strength and speed, you may have ninety percent of what you need to be a great bobsled push athlete.  Our coaching staff can teach you the rest.

Below is a sample physical profile of what our coaching staff looks for in their recruits:

Men
Height: 5’10” – 6’3”                              
Weight: 180 – 240 lbs.                        
Speed: 3.80 seconds or faster in 30 meter standing start sprint                     
              3.10 seconds or faster in 30 meter fly start sprint 
Jumps: Vertical Jump of at least 30 inches                                                  

Women
Height: 5’6” – 6’
Weight:  150 – 175 lbs.
Speed: 4.10 seconds or faster in 30 meter standing start sprint
              3.80 seconds or faster in 30 meter fly start sprint
Jumps: Vertical Jump of at least 25 inches

If you would like to try out for the US Bobsled Team, the USBSF runs recruiting camps in Lake Placid, NY at the US Olympic Training Center.  The camps will be held in March/April and August/September, with dates to be determined.  The cost of each camp is $500, and covers food, housing, coaching and evaluation.  You are responsible for your travel to and from the camp.

To apply for a spot at one of our bobsled recruiting camps, please fill out the form below, including a brief description of your athletic background.  Acceptance into the camp will be done by coach’s evaluation of your submission and space available.  The USBSF will respond to you by e-mail, so you must submit a current, working e-mail address.

In this camp you will be tested for your ability in strength and speed.  You will be evaluated in our four-item test, which includes a

1. 30 meter sprint from a standing start
2. 30 meter sprint from a flying start
3. Vertical Jump
4. 5 Hop test (five consecutive hops in a row from a standing start).

You will also learn the start technique for bobsled and be evaluated through the time period of the camp for your ability to push a wheeled bobsled.  You should come well-trained and prepared to sprint and lift heavy weights.

If you want to learn to be a competitive bobsled driver, it is best to start as a bobsled pusher to gain basic experience and knowledge. If you simply want to have the experience of driving, please visit our fantasy camp section.

SKELETON
Unlike bobsled, in skeleton, every athlete is a pusher and a driver.  The ideal recruit will be an athlete with great foot speed who has a natural talent for driving.  The USBSF can evaluate your ability to start, based on your speed on dry land tests, but the only way the USBSF can evaluate your ability to drive it to place you in a five day driving school.  Schools take place in both Lake Placid and Park City. 

Below is a sample physical profile of what our coaching staff looks for in their skeleton recruits:

Men
Height: 5’6” – 6’2”                              
Weight: 150 – 200 lbs.                        
Speed: 4.00 seconds or faster in 30 meter standing start sprint                     
              3.20 seconds or faster in 30 meter fly start sprint 
Jumps: Vertical Jump of at least 30 inches                                                  

Women
Height: 5’0” –5’9"
Weight:  130 – 180 lbs.
Speed: 4.50 seconds or faster in 30 meter standing start sprint
              3.80 seconds or faster in 30 meter fly start sprint
Jumps: Vertical Jump of at least 23 inches

The camp includes:
          Housing and Food (Lake Placid), Housing (Park City)
          Track fees
          Coaching
          Use of a USBSF skeleton sled
          Use of a USBSF helmet

During the camp, you will learn how to drive a skeleton sled.  You will begin driving from the mid-point of the track and then, depending on your ability to progress, you will move up the track to higher start points.

You will also be evaluated on a four-item test for your ability to do starts:

1. 30 meter sprint from a standing start
2. 30 meter sprint from a flying start
3. Vertical Jump
4. 5 Hop test (five consecutive hops in a row from a standing start).

You will learn the start technique and be evaluated on your ability to push a skeleton sled.  You should come to camp well-trained and prepared to sprint.  If you show exemplary driving skill, the USBSF coaching staff may invite you to participate in the National Development program for the remainder of the season.

To apply for a spot in one of our skeleton driving or bobsled recruiting camps, please fill out the form below, including a brief description of your athletic background.  Acceptance into the camp will be made by coach’s evaluation of your submission and space available.  The USBSF will respond to you by e-mail, so you must submit a current, working e-mail address.

There will be three driving schools in Park City in November/December of 2007 and three driving schools in Lake Placid in November/December of 2007. Costs are to be determined.

You must be at least 16 years old and in good physical condition