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Courtesy US Bobsled andSkeleton Federation - Amanda Bird
Athlete Quotes and Schedule, Women’s Bobsled Training Day One
WHISTLER, B.C., Canada- Women’s bobsled official training for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games began today Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Whistler Sliding Center. The 2010 Olympic Champion will be decided by the team with the lowest combined time in four heats held over two day from Feb. 23-24.
Germany and the U.S. were the only two nations to qualify three sleds, the maximum number allowed, for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The U.S. will be represented by the following teams:
USA I
- Pilot: Shauna Rohbock (Park City, Utah)
- Push Athlete: Michelle Rzepka (Novi, Mich.)
USA II
- Pilot: Erin Pac (Farmington, Conn.)
- Push Athlete: Elana Meyers (Douglasville, Ga.)
USA III
- Pilot: Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Wash.)
- Push Athlete: Emily Azevedo (Chico, Calif.)
Here’s what the U.S. team had to say following training on Feb. 20:
Shauna Rohbock (Park City, Utah)
“This track is so fast. You can’t prepare for this kind of speed because there’s no where else in the world like this. The track record was already broken last night, so I can’t imagine what we’re going to do on race day.”
Michelle Rzepka (Novi, Mich.)
“Everything leading up to Opening Ceremonies and getting to Whistler was so exciting, I’ve been smiling constantly. Now I’m finally on the track doing what I love, and it’s starting to feel real. We’re getting ready for the big show and things feel great in the back of the sled.”
Erin Pac (Farmington, Conn.)
“The Olympics is about more than just your race and I think that’s what I enjoy the most about it. But when I’m at the track I’m not thinking, ‘This is my next Olympic run.’ I’m just thinking about the course and figuring it out. I have some mistakes to correct and there’s still a lot to learn on this track before race day.”
Elana Meyers (Douglasville, Ga.)
“The support I have from my hometown is tremendous. It’s definitely helped me stay focused knowing that people support me no matter what just for getting to this point. I didn’t come here to just slide though, we want a medal. I think we can do it, and the encouragement from home has definitely helped.”
Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Wash.)
“This is going to be an exciting race. The curves are back-to-back and the course is fast, so it’ll be a fight for the medals. The support from Washington and my community has been amazing, and I definitely feel close to home here in Whistler."
Emily Azevedo (Chico, Calif.)
“Being here is incredible. Bree is such a positive and confident person, and she makes it a lot of fun. This track is definitely exciting, and I think Bree and I have a good chance to do well in the race.”
The U.S. women solidified themselves as favorites after all three sleds finished in the top six results during the Whistler World Cup event last season. Rohbock teamed with Meyers for gold, Pac and Rzepka claimed bronze, while Schaaf and Azevedo finished sixth.
The Canadians are expected to be strong on their home track. Pilots Kaillie Humphries and Helen Upperton finished the 2009-2010 season ranked second and fifth, respectively. Humphries also claimed the silver medal at the test event in Whistler, and will be a force to be reckoned with.
Other international athletes to watch include German pilots Sandra Kiriasis, who claimed the 2010 World Cup crown and is the reigning Olympic Champion, along with Cathleen Martini and Claudia Schramm.
All three U.S. women drivers finished in the top nine World Cup standings, all three Germans finished in the top seven and the two Canadian pilots finished in the top five. The battle for the podium is expected to be among these three nations.
The women’s bobsled Olympic schedule is as follows, with all times listed in PST:
Sunday, Feb. 21
- Women’s Bobsled Training, 6:00- 8:30 pm
Monday, Feb. 22
- Women’s Bobsled Training, 5:00-7:30 pm
Tuesday, Feb. 23
- Women’s Bobsled Competition, runs 1 & 2, 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Wednesday, Feb. 24
- Women’s Bobsled Competition, runs 3 & 4, 5:00 pm -7:00 pm
