Bobsleigh Q&A, Pt. 3

Was this a dream as a kid, and made reality through the passion for the sport?
Asked by Jake Swanson

Bobsledding was not a childhood dream. I really only found out about it last year. I knew what bobsledding was but didn’t realize it wasn’t a sport kids grew up doing. Competing at a high level - Olympics level - has always been a dream of mine.

Pre-race snack? Any pre-race superstitions or routines?
Asked by my step-sisters boyfriend, Ryan Bolt

Pre-race snack depends on if I (we) are over or under weight for the race, LOL. If my pilot and I are under weight, I would probably have a granola bar. If we are over weight, I’d have deep breath of air. ;)
 
As for pre-race routines…try to stay warm and pray.

Do you get free time to site see during the Olympics? Also, how much training do you put in a year?
Asked by Preston Zach

SIDENOTE: I have never been to the Olympics and have not been on an Olympic team.
But, in our travels and competing on the North American and World Cup circuits, we see a lot of things while traveling in the car. We also do have down time to do some things and especially after the races we are able to relax and site see.

Is there an emergency way to stop that darn bobsled?
Asked by Jon Lambert

To answer this the longest way I can, no. LOL

What is the fastest you have ever been on a sled?
Asked by Terry Henry

My pilot and I crashed in Whistler, Canada going 87 mph in curve 7 so I think we’ve gotten up to about 92-95 mph.

Who taught you to love snow?
Asked by my favorite human, most beautiful lady in the world, my Mama, Julie Brungardt 

My Mama & Santa!

Who makes the bobsleds?
Asked by Jonathan Face

BMW makes all the bobsleds for the National Team. 

What is the difference between bobsled and luge?
Asked by my former professor at Wayne State College, Sherry Dorman 

Bobsled is raced with two or four people in a sled weighing about 400 pounds. Luge is an athlete (or two for doubles) on a sled about 70 pounds going down the track feet first. Skeleton is a single athlete on a 70-pound sled going down head first. 

How long are your training practices?
Asked by Zachary Evans

Bobsled training practices (on ice) can be on average from 3-6 hours. There is a lot of sled work before and after sliding.

How long have you been bobsledding? Do you miss Nebraska? How do you practice bobsled in the summer?
Asked by Andrew Schliewe

I have been bobsledding for a year. I hate to say this but no, I do not miss Nebraska but I do miss the people. In the summer, we practice bobsledding by pushing a bobsled on wheels on a push track in Lake Placid!

When you feel like giving up or are in a funk, what do you do to get past it?
Asked by Darren Hromadka

Pray…believe…and keep grinding knowing that feelings are fickle and if I keep moving forward things will change.

What brought me to bobsledding versus another Olympic sport?
Asked by Sarah Jae

Bobsled was my path because the strengths it requires (speed, strength) to be successful in the sport is what I was best at in college. 

What was the defining moment that made you leave everything to chase a dream?
By Anthony Watson (Jamaican Olympic Skeleton Athlete)

It was a moment when we were driving in Europe and I was overwhelmed with the beauty and my friend said she got a text from someone she knew, who was the same age, died unexpectedly . It was that moment when I realized life is too short to not continue to do something that I am passionate about and excited about. I love to travel, I love to compete and God has blessed me with the body to still do it so I decided I would continue to do this as long as He continued to provide a way. Thankfully, He has and I am not able to do this full time. Thank you for this question. I don’t believe I have actually ever told anyone that part. 

What are your goals for the season and the next quad?
Asked by Corie Mapp

This season’s bobsledding goal is to make the National Team (Check J). My ultimate quad goal (4-year goal) is obviously the Olympics in 2022.  I am learning to trust the process so my overall goal is to give 100% each opportunity I get and become a better, stronger, faster bobsledder and teammate.

Are the push bars set at the same height or can these be adjusted? What sled adjustments can be made? How are the runners (AKA things the sled slides on) sharpened?
Asked by Mark Hall 

The push bars are set, they cannot be adjusted. For a brakeman, the foot pegs can be adjusted. Also, you can add padding around inside parts of the sled to help with comfort for or protection for a brakeman. The runners are sharpened by the team with sand paper…yes, sand paper. The night before a race you can spend 2-3 sanding the runners! 

How do you stay grounded?
Asked by Marc Sundermeier 

Realizing that life is a gift and a privilege and it can be taken from me at any time.