Figure Skaters That Have Competed In Other Sports

[NanaPat]

It's as if the bobsleigh people approach other athletes (I have no idea if they do this, just imagining ) and say "Hey, you've got strong legs and are fast, how about learning to push a sled at the start of the track? Then you just have to pile in and duck your head?"

They do. In Canada, they recruit from the CFL; the skills and physicality required in the two sports are similar. They also recruit from track and field athletes.

 

[Diana Delafield]

They do. In Canada, they recruit from the CFL; the skills and physicality required in the two sports are similar. They also recruit from track and field athletes.

I'd noticed that several additions to Olympic bobsleigh teams seemed to be football players. Not just adding speed and power to pushing, but I suspect also the extra weight jumping into the sled gives it an extra jolt at the start, liking stamping hard on a car's gas pedal. I didn't know who approached whom, whatever federation runs sliding sports recruiting, or the players themselves deciding it looked interesting and asking if they could try it.

 

[4everchan]

I'd noticed that several additions to Olympic bobsleigh teams seemed to be football players. Not just adding speed and power to pushing, but I suspect also the extra weight jumping into the sled gives it an extra jolt at the start, liking stamping hard on a car's gas pedal. I didn't know who approached whom, whatever federation runs sliding sports recruiting, or the players themselves deciding it looked interesting and asking if they could try it.

there are weight limits so it's not about that . it's about their capacity to push, just like they do in rugby and football/ strength of legs, like sprinters in track

Here are the max weight limits and the minimum limits as well (minimum because it would be dangerous if the bob was too light)

• 4-Man Bobsleigh:
  • Maximum combined weight (Sled + Crew + Gear): 630 kg (1,389 lbs)
  • Minimum empty sled weight: 210 kg (463 lbs)
  • Implied max crew capacity: 420 kg (average of 105 kg per athlete)
• 2-Man Bobsleigh:
  • Maximum combined weight (Sled + Crew + Gear): 390 kg (860 lbs)
  • Minimum empty sled weight: 170 kg (375 lbs)
  • Implied max crew capacity: 220 kg
• 2-Woman Bobsleigh:
  • Maximum combined weight (Sled + Crew + Gear): 330 kg (728 lbs)
  • Minimum empty sled weight: 165 kg (364 lbs)
  • Implied max crew capacity: 165 k

 

[Diana Delafield]

there are weight limits so it's not about that . it's about their capacity to push, just like they do in rugby and football/ strength of legs, like sprinters in track

Here are the max weight limits and the minimum limits as well (minimum because it would be dangerous if the bob was too light)

• 4-Man Bobsleigh:
  • Maximum combined weight (Sled + Crew + Gear): 630 kg (1,389 lbs)
  • Minimum empty sled weight: 210 kg (463 lbs)
  • Implied max crew capacity: 420 kg (average of 105 kg per athlete)
• 2-Man Bobsleigh:
  • Maximum combined weight (Sled + Crew + Gear): 390 kg (860 lbs)
  • Minimum empty sled weight: 170 kg (375 lbs)
  • Implied max crew capacity: 220 kg
• 2-Woman Bobsleigh:
  • Maximum combined weight (Sled + Crew + Gear): 330 kg (728 lbs)
  • Minimum empty sled weight: 165 kg (364 lbs)
  • Implied max crew capacity: 165 k

Never knew that, although it's logical now you lay it out. Interesting!

 

[el henry]

Football and bobsled is a match made in heaven in the US, I don't know why. . I don't know any figure skaters who could compete at a high level in two sports like that , IMO skating requires too much specialization.

Jason Brown has spoken about the time he realized he would concentrate on skating rather than the multiple sports he was playing.

He was on a soccer team in junior high, and the team lost a championship game. The entire team was crushed, but Jason couldn't understand why. It was just a soccer game.

Jason skated at a small comp the next weekend. He said the comp had five people in the audience, and two were his parents. Jason didn’t perform well and was very upset. It dawned on him that was how the players on his soccer team felt about losing their game. That's when he knew he needed to concentrate on skating.

Source: Trust me bro, although you should when it comes to quotes from Jason. I can't find the video, but he has told the story more than once.

 

[snowflake]

So now my question is: was there ever a figure skater competing in bobsleigh

 

[saine]

So now my question is: was there ever a figure skater competing in bobsleigh

I found Grace Dafoe, who went from figure skating to skeleton - https://www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca/en/team/skeleton/?id=52

 

[NanaPat]

I found Grace Dafoe, who went from figure skating to skeleton - https://www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca/en/team/skeleton/?id=52

This article mentions that Grace was identified/recruited through RBC Training Ground. Probably everyone in Canada has seen ads for it; it helps in identifying young athletes who have the potential to succeed in various sports that they may never have tried or considered. Of course, figure skating is not one of the sports involved, as it is an "early specialization" sport. The link above gives more information about the program and the sports that are involved.