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U.S. bobsled coach looking for talent in Utah

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 8:16 GMT by KTVX
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U.S. Bobsled Coach Looks to Build a New Generation of Talent Ahead of the 2026 Games

In a bold move that signals a renewed commitment to maintaining America’s competitive edge in winter sports, U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation head coach Kara McCullough has publicly announced that she is on the hunt for fresh talent. The decision comes as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina looms, and the federation seeks to deepen the depth of its women’s bobsled program, which has dominated the sport over the past decade.

McCullough, who has been at the helm of the U.S. women’s bobsled team since 2014, is no stranger to success. Under her leadership, the U.S. crew captured three gold medals in Sochi (2014) and Pyeongchang (2018), and added a silver and a bronze at Beijing (2022). Yet, with the inevitable attrition of seasoned athletes and a growing global field, she recognizes that “to stay ahead, we need to bring in new blood.”

The Profile of the Ideal Athlete

The coach’s “talent search” focuses on a set of clear physical and psychological attributes. “The start is everything,” McCullough told reporters at the Utah Olympic Park, where the U.S. team trains on the world‑class bobsled track. “We’re looking for sprinters or power athletes who can generate that explosive push in the first 5 seconds, because that sets the tone for the rest of the run.”

Her ideal recruit, according to McCullough, has:

• Explosive speed: A 100‑meter time of 11.5 seconds or better, or a comparable metric in a related event.
• Mass and strength: A body mass of 85–95 kilograms (187–209 pounds) combined with a high power‑to‑weight ratio.
• Discipline and adaptability: A willingness to train in the harsh Utah winter and to commit to a full season of sled practice, strength work, and technical sessions.
• Mental toughness: The ability to stay focused under the pressure of high‑stakes competition, where a fraction of a second can make the difference between podium and disappointment.

McCullough specifically mentioned that athletes from collegiate football, track and field, wrestling, and even powerlifting could make the cut. “If you’ve ever sprinted in a 4×100 relay, that’s exactly the kind of start we’re looking for,” she said.

Reaching Out to College Programs

The U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation has already started a “Bobsled Talent Identification” program in partnership with the University of Utah and the University of Colorado. In the past year, McCullough has visited campus athletic facilities in Utah and Colorado, holding “sprint‑and‑push” clinics to evaluate potential recruits.

“We’re making the first contact in the fall,” McCullough told a local sports radio station. “We run a short course of sprints and then a push‑start drill. The athletes who stand out are invited to a summer training camp.”

The 2023 summer camp—held in Park City—was attended by a dozen prospective athletes, including a former NCAA sprinter who made the U.S. 4×100 relay team last year. “The camp was intense,” she recalled. “We did sled pushes, strength work, and we had a full day on the track. The coaches were all around us, watching every movement. It was a great learning experience.”

Funding and Support

The federation has secured additional funding through the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s “Talent Development” grant. This financial backing will cover the travel, equipment, and coaching costs for the new recruits. The grant also allows the program to hire a full‑time strength and conditioning coach dedicated to the bobsled athletes.

“We’re investing in the future,” said U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee director Michelle Thomas. “With this support, the U.S. can sustain its legacy in women’s bobsled and bring the sport to a new generation.”

The Road Ahead

McCullough’s recruitment push is part of a larger strategy that also includes a revamped training regimen. The federation is incorporating advanced biomechanical analysis, video feedback, and sports‑psychology sessions to fine‑tune athletes’ start techniques. Meanwhile, a partnership with the National Institutes of Health’s “Sports Performance Lab” will provide data‑driven insights into the athletes’ training loads and recovery.

“We’re not just looking for speed; we’re looking for athletes who can consistently perform at the highest level,” McCullough emphasized. “That means monitoring fatigue, ensuring proper nutrition, and integrating mental skills training.”

Why It Matters

The stakes are high. The U.S. women's bobsled team currently holds a podium streak that began in 2014. However, rivals from Germany, Canada, and Japan are investing heavily in their own programs, and the next Olympics will test the U.S. federation’s ability to adapt. With McCullough’s proactive approach, the team hopes to not only preserve its medal haul but to set new records for speed and precision.

Follow-up Links

• U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation – www.usbobsled.org (provides detailed information on the federation’s programs, athlete profiles, and upcoming events).
• Olympic.org – Bobsled Overview – https://www.olympic.org/bobsleigh (offers background on the sport’s rules, history, and Olympic statistics).
• Utah Olympic Park – Training Facilities – https://www.utaholympicpark.com (features the world‑class track and training resources used by the U.S. team).

As McCullough continues her search, the world will watch to see which athletes step up to carry the U.S. flag onto the ice track and into the next era of winter sporting excellence.