COLIN COUGHLIN, USA BOBSLED PILOT | CWC179@AOL.COM
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and allowing me to share my bobsled experiences with you.
HOW I BECAME A USA BOBSLED PILOT...
I was playing football for Springfield College in MA when I first heard about the US bobsled combine. My trainer, Jerry North of Northstar Sports, had attended a combine in Lake Placid, NY and suggested I attend one later that summer. Being in the Olympic Training Center and training next to some of the best athletes in the world was a great honor and I was more than grateful to be a part of it.
The following January I took my first ride down the bobsled track as a brakeman and immediately was addicted. I competed in just a couple 2-man and 4-man races that season before attending driving school to learn how to pilot a bobsled. After my first trip down the track as a pilot I couldn't imagine anything more exciting. I then realized that I wanted to commit to training as a pilot. The following season I was able to train at tracks in Utah, Calgary, and Lake Placid. Being able to travel to each destination and learn each track was an amazing experience. Although driving was my main focus, I also had the opportunity to compete as a push athlete on Jay Noller, Nick Cunningham, and Codie Bascue's 4-man teams in races at Calgary and Lake Placid tracks. The season after was my first competitive season as a pilot. I enjoyed competing on the North Americas Cup circuit and training at the Whistler sliding center. The season ended on a positive note with a top 6 finish in the 2-man event as well as a top 6 finish in my first 4-man race. This past season (2013-2014) continued to challenge me and teach me a great deal about this sport. The fields were extremely competitive throughout the entire NAC circuit and made for some great racing. In the final race of the season in Lake Placid my crew and I were able to pull out a top 5 finish in the 4-man event. Although the road to the Olympics is extremely difficult, I hope to continue improving and some day realize my dream of competing in future winter Olympics. I would like to thank all of the athletes who have trained and competed with me over the past couple seasons; I appreciate all your hard work! I would also like to thank all of my family, friends, and supporters who have believed in me and continue to believe in me. I really do appreciate all of the support!
Courtesy of Albert Djurasevic Photography
