Photo: nytimes.com
As in other high-speed competitions, bobsledding is about shaving tenths of a second, beat the clock and get the podium. And Team USA managed to do so at this year’s Winter Olympics using the new BMW-developed bobsled.
With the help from the German automaker, Team USA’s over 20-year old sleigh platform has been replaced by a new, lightweight construction made out of carbon fiber and kevlar and weighing only 347 lbs (157 kg).
All the work resulted in Team USA taking home its first medal in two-man bobsledding since 1952. Steven Holcomb and his partner Steven Langton raced to achieve a third place at the Sochi Winter Olympics this year, with the margin of victory for the bronze medal being just 0.03.
The team would have probably gone much faster if Holcomb hadn’t had a sprained left calf. Still, “a medal’s a medal” as he said and maybe next time they’ll get the gold.
All the work resulted in Team USA taking home its first medal in two-man bobsledding since 1952. Steven Holcomb and his partner Steven Langton raced to achieve a third place at the Sochi Winter Olympics this year, with the margin of victory for the bronze medal being just 0.03.
The team would have probably gone much faster if Holcomb hadn’t had a sprained left calf. Still, “a medal’s a medal” as he said and maybe next time they’ll get the gold.
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