DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) is looking for hard working, motivated athletes with explosive power, strength and speed. Obvious candidates include athletes from football, track and field, Olympic weightlifting, rugby, and other related sports backgrounds. Though individual testing results are emphasized, team work, motivation and work ethic are just as important.

Recruitment Process
During the dry land training season from March to October, BCS, in conjunction with the provincial associations, hold recruitment camps in virtually every major center across Canada. We perform the tests listed on our schedule page, and compare the results to those of our current World Cup and Development athletes. We regularly hold camps in: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, and others.

Talented, motivated candidates are invited to come to Calgary and participate in a National Development Program Training Camp. There, they will be introduced to the basics of pushing, sled maintenance, and race preparations. Depending on their testing results, work ethic and attitude, the new athletes might be asked to come back for the National Team Selection races, and potentially qualify for the National Team in Bobsleigh. National Development Program spots also exist for Skeleton.

National Team Program
Canada fields teams to the Americas Cup, Europa Cup, Intercontinental Cup and World Cup circuits as well as to the World Championships and the Olympic Winter Games. Our season starts with team selections in October and ends at the end of February with either the World Championships or Olympic Winter Games. During the off-season, much time is spent in the weight room and on running and push tracks.

Rewards of Being a Part of Our Program
A chance to represent Canada internationally on the Americas Cup, Europa Cup, Intercontinental Cup and World Cup Circuits, with the long term goal being the World Championships and Winter Olympic Games.

A chance to perform on the National level and Provincial level which includes America Cup, Europa Cup, Intercontinental Cup, World Junior Championships (under age 26), National Championships, Alberta Skeleton Association Cup Race).

Athletes that qualify for National Teams can expect extensive travel to such places as; The United States, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Latvia. Financial assistance can be attained in four (4) forms:
    •    Sport Canada Carding - a government program that provides tuition payment and monthly monetary assistance determined by world ranking.
    •    VISA Awards Program - provided by our title sponsor.
    •    Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et Tobogganing (FIBT Prize money determined by performance on the World Cup Circuit)
    •    Your personal efforts to secure sponsorship.
A chance to compete for a proven, winning program which means a legitimate opportunity to be on the podium after all competitions.

Tests to be performed:

Test	Description
30M Sprint	Athlete sprints from a 2 point standing start.  There is a one meter acceleration zone at the start.  This is one of the most important tests we do, and gives a great indication of the athlete's ability to accelerate over a short distance.
Flying 30M Sprint (60M)	Athlete sprints at their top speed through a 30m distance.  This is usually done in conjunction with the standing 30m sprint in order to ensure athletes are hitting the timing eye at their top speed.
20M Sled Pull (15KG)	The athletes will pull a 15kg weight througha 35m zone.  We will time them for the remaining 20 m of the sprint.  This is a great test for power and speed and usually correlates to tour single push test almost directly.
Power Clean(1RM)	Full cleans are not allowed.  we do allow wrist straps and belts.  This is an interesting test when compared to the front squat.  It also gives us an idea of the athlete's training background and level of experience with lifting.
Front Squat (1RM)	With the bar resting on the athletes shoulders with a clean catch grip, the athlete will descend to the point where the top of their thigh is parallel to the ground.
Bench Press (1RM)	The maximum bench press test gives us an idea of the athletes upper body strength and an indication of their overall development.
Single Push Test (Calgary only)	The single push test is an important test because it is where the athlete pushes a 145kg sled in the Ice House from each of the pushing positions. Each test conducted gives us information as to which athlete will in turn be most successful in on-ice competition.

*  Based on the facilities and the athletes in attendance, some tests may not be conducted.

If you think you have what it takes to be a skeleton athlete, please contact Florian Linder at TalentID@bobsleigh.ca