U.S.A. WOMEN'S BOBSLED 2010 OLYMPIC TEAM

USA Women's Bobsled 2010 Olympic Team
L-R: Michelle Rzepka, Elana Meyers. Erin Pac,

Bree Schaaf, Emily Azevedo and Shauna Rohbock

(Photo Credit: Charlie Booker)
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My blogging has been rather limited into the New Year. But today I had to simply make time. That's because this is only the third Olympics that the U.S. Women's Bobsled Team have had a sled of any kind (they won Gold in 2002 and Silver in 2006). This year, we have three sleds entered in competition! On the heels of my previous posts of 11/30/09 ("Bree Schaaf and Bobsledding"), 12/02/09 ("Emily Azevedo & Bobsledding"), 12/04/09 ("Bobsledding Passion") and 12/06/09 ("Women's 2-Man Bobsled World Cup Results") it's a thrill for us to keep in mind who the drivers and brakemen are that will be representing our country. Each country is allowed to bring 2 bobsleds. Those that are allowed to bring a third have to have one of the top two rankings in the world of all the number 3 bobsleds after they have finished their season. USA 1 will be driven by 2006 Silver medalist Shauna Rohbock with brakeman Michelle Rzepka. USA II will be driven by Erin Pac with brakeman Elana Meyers. USA III will be driven by Bree Schaaf with brakeman Emily Azevedo.

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The year 1999 was significant for me (I earned my college degree that year). But it was significant for other reasons related to sports. In October, 1999 the International Olympic Committee added Women's Bobsleigh (in the U.S. we call it Bobsled) to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Accordingly, the first-ever Women's Olympic Bobsled Competition took place in Park City, Utah at Olympic Park in February, 2002. Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers earned the Gold Medal for the United States. In 2006, Shauna Rohbock and Valerie Fleming earned the Silver Medal for the United States.

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Mark your calendars for February 23rd and 24th when the Women's 2-Man Bobsled will be televised. Universal Sports will cover the races, or you can go to www.universalsports.com. Take a good look at our team in the photo above. All year-long, indeed, in the years leading up to the Olympics they have trained hard. They have heart and soul. They are ready. And we will be pulling for them one-hundred percent! Another good place to follow team race results and learn more about our drivers and push talent (particularly in the interim, is on www.fibt.com.) Delayed video of previous races is also available by engaging their On Demand Streaming.

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Team USA

USA I: Shauna Rohbock (Park City, Utah) and Michelle Rzepka (Novi, Michigan).

USA II: Erin Pac (Farmington, Connecticut) and Elana Meyers (Douglasville, Georgia).

USA III: Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Washington) and Emily Azevedo (Chico, California).

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We'll focus on the Men's Bobsled Team USA shortly!