USA Bobsled and Skeleton

Contact: Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager
(518) 354-2250, abird@usbsf.com

First day of Youth Olympic Games official training

IGLS, Austria (Jan. 18, 2012)-Official training for the bobsled and skeleton Youth Olympic Games competitions began at the Olympic Sliding Center in Igls, Austria today.  Energy is high after teammate Jake Peterson was selected as Team USA’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony last Friday, and the five-athlete roster was eager to get on ice today. 

Skeleton competitors Elizabeth Maxwell, Timi Earl and Anthony Harringshaw are scheduled to compete on Jan. 21, while men’s bobsledders Codie Bascue and Jake Peterson will vie for the title on Jan. 22.  Here’s what the team had to say about the first day of official training: 

Jake Peterson (Princeton, Minn.): Men’s Bobsled Brakeman

“The opening ceremonies were fantastic and being able to carry the flag into the stadium was amazing.  To be able to represent my country in a way only a select few are able to was a great honor and a wonderful privilege. We had our first official training today and Codie's driving was fantastic. I look forward to seeing how the next couple days turn out and hopefully we can bring some nice hardware home on Sunday.”

Codie Bascue (Whitehall, N.Y.): Men’s Bobsled Driver

“I am having an amazing time here in Austria! From going to a peak of the Tirolian Alps on our off day to official training which started today, everything is going just great. I am having a much better time now that I have had the chance to spend time with my family and watch some competitions. Training went great today with just a few minor things that Jake and I have to work on before the race.  Other than that, it went very well. Jake is pushing incredibly well and I am looking forward to Sunday's race and I can't wait to see how it goes. Hopefully we will be able to bring home the last gold medals of the Youth Olympics and the first ever Youth Olympic gold medal for bobsledding.”

Elizabeth Maxwell (Draper, Utah): Women’s Skeleton

"We're still having a great time here in Innsbruck! We were able to start official training today so everyone was really excited for that. We all had very productive training days and are looking forward to tomorrow. I can't wait to compete, but am going to be sad when the games are over and I have to go back to real life! I've had so much fun here and I am looking forward to more good times in the near future."

Timi Earl (Heber City, Utah): Women’s Skeleton

“Everything is still great here. It's been even more exciting since the Games have started. I was so glad to finally start official training and slide with more athletes than I usually do. It was really interesting to see how all of the athletes from different nations did. I'm getting a little nervous since our competition is in only a few days, but I am also really excited to be a part of it and to get the experience. Everyone is training hard and I'm really proud of our team."

Anthony Herringshaw (Fort Plain, N.Y.): Men’s Skeleton

“Everything is going well with the track and training. I hope things pick up more so I can have more fun.  This is the best place to be and this is the biggest time of my life.  I hope to keep this feeling with me for the rest of my life.”

Daily updates after official training runs will be posted on the website at http://bobsled.teamusa.org/.  For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at abird@usbsf.com, or at (518) 354-2250. 

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: BMW of North America, Under Armour, United States National Guard, Kampgrounds of America, National Strength and Conditioning Association, Vivat!, Global Forwarding, KBC Helmets, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, EDAS/Ripxx, UberSense, Tesa Tape and Ferris Mfg. Corp. For more information, please visit the USBSF website at http://bobsled.teamusa.org.

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