BOBSLED
2008 UTAH WINTER GAMES
The team of Gary Kuhl and Matt Profitt took second place at the Utah Winter Games on January 26th, 2008. The team was able to best the Jamaican bobsled team which had beat them less than one month ago at the America's Cup races here in Park City. Congratulations to Matt and Gary for their second-place finish!
AMERICA'S CUP
America’s Cup is a bobsled event with a series of races in Park City, Calgary and Lake Placid. The National Ability Center had two teams (Aaron Lanningham / Matt Profitt and Gary Kuhl / Tom Napierski) that competed in Park City at the Utah Olympic Park City in 2008. The Center also sent a team (Gary Kuhl / Matt Profitt) to Calgary to compete later that year. As the only adaptive bobsled program in the world, Gary and Matt were ambassadors for the sport and encouraged the Canadian Paralympic Committee to consider adding bobsled as its sixth nationally sanctioned winter Paralympic sport. The Calgary Sun also took notice of the team.
HISTORY
The National Ability Center was the first organization to have a bobsled team for individuals with physical disabilities. The first race took place at the Utah Olympic Park in February of 2004. This year marks the fifth year of training for the Ability Center's team. Pat Brown has returned as head coach to help the team improve and prepare for more competition throughout the season.
OPPORTUNITY
Ever dream of shooting down a tunnel of ice at record breaking speed? The National Ability Center is offering the opportunity to join our bobsled training team. Individuals with physical disabilities can participate in both beginner and advanced training. Contact Heather Gray for more information.
PARTICIPANTS
Before participating in the Bobsled Program, there is a number of forms that must be filled out. Below you will find the links to all of the necessary information. If you have questions, please call program manager Heather Gray at (435) 649-3991.
>United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation:
You will need to send in $50 with your USBSF application which provides insurance for you to slide. Please fax the completed form to the federation at (518) 523-9491.
USBSF Athlete Membership Form
>Utah Olympic Park
There are three forms for the Utah Olympic Park - a Release of Liability Agreement, the Emergency Button Policy, and a Bobsled / Skeleton Agreement form. Please read the Emergency Button Policy and initial on the Bobsled Agreement form that you have read it. The two completed forms for the Utah Olympic Park can be faxed in to (435) 658-9123.
Release of Liability Agreement
Emergency Button Policy
Bobsled / Skeleton Agreement
>National Ability Center
Please fill out an National Ability Center participant assessment form, an Ability Center liability release and a membership form, and fax them to (435) 658-3992.
Participant Assessment Form
Liability Release
Membership Form
Photo Courtesy Scott Sine |
