Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, it’s bobsled time!
It’s a safe bet that if you live in Calgary – or on earth – that you’ve seen ‘Cool Runnings’, the film based on the true story of a Jamaican bobsled team who competed in the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
But what else do you know about the sport?
When Notable was invited to spend the day with Olympian Heather Moyse at Calgary Olympic Park, we learned pretty quickly there’s a whole lot more to it than you would think.
Here are 8 things you probably didn’t know:
1. This Is Canada’s Sport
When it comes to the winter Olympics, Canada dominates, especially on the bobsled track. Heather Moyse and her partner (Calgary’s Kaillie Humphries) have taken home not one, but TWO GOLD MEDALS for placing first in the women’s bobsled competition in both the 2010 and 2014 winter games. Known for their incredible sportsmanship and talent, these champions are inspiring a new wave of young women in sports. Talk about impressive.
2. One Sled, Four Jobs
Each sled requires a driver, a brakeman, and two pushers. The driver is responsible for learning the curves and turns of each course, while the pushers are selected for their strength and speed. We’re guessing, that we don’t have to explain what the brakeman does…
3. Speed is Everything
Before her Olympic reign, Heather was a track and field superstar, something that’s considered to be a major asset when scouts are looking for new bobsled athletes. In a sport that measures winners by a one-hundredth of a second, speed is critical.
4. Dress Warm
It’s far from being warm on the track so having quality gear is essential. For our bobsled run, we were outfitted with the latest in Canada Goose winter layers, including the Lightweight Down Jackets and Shells. When it comes to staying warm on sleds that go 100+ km an hour, it’s definitely worth having gear from a company that designs products for extreme conditions.
5. Gone in 60 Seconds
This is how long it takes to complete the course and there’s nothing quite like it. From start to finish, bobsledding makes you feel like you’re on the wildest roller coaster ride of your life. With 14 turns to complete on the COP course, the action doesn’t stop until you get to the bottom.
6. The G Force
Four people in a weighted sled and a downhill track of ice means you’re going real fast. Clocked at 120 km per hour and a G-force of five, it’s straight up exhilarating.
7. The Kreisel
A word that probably translates as ‘terrifying’, the ‘Kreisel’ refers to the sixth turn on bobsled tracks around the world. Known for being the most challenging of turns, the sled takes a 300-degree hairpin in the blink of an eye. And don’t worry; it’s ok to scream.
8. It’s Fun
It’s fast and furious, but you’ll be happy you did it. Getting off the bobsled and high-fiving your driver makes you feel like a pretty big deal. Adrenaline junkie or not, it’s something everyone should try at least once. The track at COP is only open until the beginning of March, so don’t wait to book your experience.
#NOTABLE
Cover image from: Heather Moyse Facebook
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