The second week of the AIS Skeleton project began with a rest day due to the track being closed for routine maintenance.
The second week of the AIS Skeleton project began with a rest day due to the track being closed for routine maintenance. As a result, the team headed west on the TransCanadian Highway to enjoy the winter wonderland of Banff and Lake Louise. The rare respite from the intensity of sliding program, enabled the team to experience the delights of the Rocky Mountains, and for some, the thrill of firing off their first snowball. The majesty of the Banff Springs Hotel, the roaming elk, and the analgesic soak in the hot springs were welcome distractions for what would eventually turn out to be a tough week ahead.
Feeling fresh and recharged the girls enthusiastically attacked their starts from the top of the track, resulting in much improved start times, but also significantly faster descents. There were 10 team DNF’s registered in only 3 days of sliding, compared with 7 for the entire first week. From the relatively sedate 50km/h introduction to sliding only days earlier, the girls now pounded into straightaways at 115km/h, and struggled to counteract the neck snapping G-forces of the curves. Despite the protective padding, the girls’ shoulders, calves, hips, backs and other sensitive parts were heavily checked by the concrete and ice walls, resulting in the eruption of some colourful bruising. The application of a somewhat magical Chinese poultice known as Bruise Tape became a nightly ritual, only to enable more skin souvenirs to be collected the following day.
Signs of frustration were clearly evident as the athletes attempted to comprehend the intricacies of high speed ice driving. “What’s that about Terry”, seemed to sum up an incredulous Nicole Apps as she pleaded for an answer from coach Terry Holland as to why her sled lacked any semblance of control. Tears appeared from others as they came to the realisation that success in Skeleton will not arrive on a platter, but through careful and meticulous attention to the subtleties and nuances revealed by their master coach. Yet testimony to the calibre of competitor and the absolute trust that the athletes have placed in Terry, the final three days of Week 2 sliding produced impressive downtimes and furthermore failed to produce a single DNF.
Week 3 will be a significant period in the athletes’ development as they shed their Bruise Tape to compete in their first international event - the America’s Cup on November 25 and 26.
Related Links
Skeleton: Week Two Perspectives From Athletes
Feeling fresh and recharged the girls enthusiastically attacked their starts from the top of the track, resulting in much improved start times, but also significantly faster descents. There were 10 team DNF’s registered in only 3 days of sliding, compared with 7 for the entire first week. From the relatively sedate 50km/h introduction to sliding only days earlier, the girls now pounded into straightaways at 115km/h, and struggled to counteract the neck snapping G-forces of the curves. Despite the protective padding, the girls’ shoulders, calves, hips, backs and other sensitive parts were heavily checked by the concrete and ice walls, resulting in the eruption of some colourful bruising. The application of a somewhat magical Chinese poultice known as Bruise Tape became a nightly ritual, only to enable more skin souvenirs to be collected the following day.
Signs of frustration were clearly evident as the athletes attempted to comprehend the intricacies of high speed ice driving. “What’s that about Terry”, seemed to sum up an incredulous Nicole Apps as she pleaded for an answer from coach Terry Holland as to why her sled lacked any semblance of control. Tears appeared from others as they came to the realisation that success in Skeleton will not arrive on a platter, but through careful and meticulous attention to the subtleties and nuances revealed by their master coach. Yet testimony to the calibre of competitor and the absolute trust that the athletes have placed in Terry, the final three days of Week 2 sliding produced impressive downtimes and furthermore failed to produce a single DNF.
Week 3 will be a significant period in the athletes’ development as they shed their Bruise Tape to compete in their first international event - the America’s Cup on November 25 and 26.
Related Links
Skeleton: Week Two Perspectives From Athletes
