THE NIGHT TRAIN HAS ARRIVED!

"The Night Train"
-
(Photo: Amanda Bird & USBSF)

In just a few hours from the time I am writing this message, Steve Holcomb and Team USA will "open the throttles"---so to speak---with everything they have to race for the Gold medal. Meantime, here is a late recap.

-

On Friday, "The Night Train" made history by capturing the lead in both heats of the Men’s Four-Man Bobsled Olympic competition at Whistler. Team USA led by driver Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah), and push athletes Justin Olsen (San Antonio, Texas), Steve Mesler (Buffalo, New York) and Curt Tomasevicz (Shelby, Nebraska) also set back-to-back speed records on the Whistler Olympic track!

-

The team delivered a Heat 1 start of 4.75 seconds, breaking the push record before sliding the course in just 50.89 seconds with a top speed of 95 miles per hour. In Heat 2, the team's start was even more brisk by two-hundredths of a second with the men navigating the 16-curve course in a blistering 50.86 seconds, breaking their previous track record!

-

Team USA slid a two-run total of 1:41.75 gaining four tenths of a second lead at the bottom of the track. The United States will be the first team to start in today's final heats at 1 p.m. The 2010 Olympic Gold will be determined by the team with the lowest combined time over four heats. Despite the elation, pilot Steve Holcomb maintained reserve yesterday.

-

“We have to stay focused,” said Holcomb “It’s a two-day race and we’re at half time. If we can put down two solid runs tomorrow we’ll stay in the mix.”

-

Canada's team led by Lyndon Rush took second place. Germany's team led by Andre Lange, 36--the most decorated pilot in bobsled history--took third place. Lange will officially retire after his Olympic performance.

-

It's all on the line for Team USA. The United States hasn't won a Gold medal in 62 years, since Francis Tyler steered his way down the track in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The United States made a valiant run in 2002, finishing second and third. It all comes down to tonight's performance!