"Not everyone can skate, not everyone has been on skis, very few would dare to try ski jumping, but anyone who has ever played in the snow probably knows the feeling of what skeleton athletes get on race day. It's the thrill of being on a sled, picking up speed, trying to figure out how to steer without having anything to steer with, then getting up and doing it all over again."
"Races begin with the sled on the ice, and the slider grabbing one of its handles, usually with one hand. The slider runs about 30 meters or so to build up speed, then leaps onto the sled and settles in for a ride that can exceed 80 mph (129 kph) down the track. Athletes steer with subtle shifts of their body and legs, all while their chins are often no more than a few inches from the surface of the ice."
Skeleton is a high-speed, head-first sliding sport in which athletes sprint while pushing a sled, then dive onto it and ride face-down with chins inches above the ice. Athletes build momentum by running roughly 30 meters before leaping onto the sled and can exceed 80 mph (129 kph) during a run. Steering relies on subtle shifts of body and legs rather than mechanical controls. Skeleton has Olympic roots dating to 1928, experienced two long absences, and returned to the Games in 2002. The event appeals to thrill-seekers and will feature competitors such as Matt Weston, Mystique Ro and Austin Florian.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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