Nearly 4 years ago, “06880” profiled John Vester.
The story told how the Westporter — a former national luge team member-turned-bobsledder, whose Olympic dreams were shattered several times by injuries — had joined a small non-profit determined to end years of failure by US bobsled teams.
Vester and his group’s goal was to make the best sled possible. In 2010 — when the story ran — the Americans had just won gold in the 4-man bobsled, at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It was our 1st since 1948.
Another 4 years, another Olympics.
Vester is still involved. His project — called Bo-Dyn — is sliding rapidly downhill. In bobsled terms, that’s great.
Last weekend, at World Cup races in Lake Placid, the various men’s teams went a perfect 7-f0r-7. The women’s teams had plenty of success too.
John Vester at Lake Placid yesterday. The US sled is visible below his arm.
Vester — whose day job is as a principal with KPMG’s Advisory Services — is thrilled with the US successes. He’s part of a team that has worked long and hard to get this country where it is, in a sport long dominated by Germany and Switzerland.
The Olympics in February are one more — well, mountain to climb. Vester is cautiously optimistic.
But he won’t be in Sochi to see it.
He’s headed to Lake Placid, where he and the rest of his Bo-Dyn team will watch on TV, in a special facility.
Right next to the US Olympic Committee’s bobsled run.
Great Story! Very Cool! 🙂
Hmmmm! So either our sleds are better than their sleds or our drivers are better than their drivers!!
Just curious- if this is not a national secret could someone tell us if-
1 Is it aerodynamics?
2 Is it weight distribution?
3 Is it better wax on the rails??
4 Is it GPS and micro processors controlling the line taken down the hill?
5 Or do our sleds just come without brakes!!
Motors and rail heaters are not allowed!!
Now to shovel the snow!!