I’ve always had an obsession with bobsleds from watching the Olympic games when I was a child. So much so, that two years ago, I traveled (solo, no one else would join me on this crazy endeavor) to Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah to ride the Comet bobsled – “The ride of your life” they call it, 15 turns, 80 mph and 4 G’s of force in an actual 4 man bobsled. This is also the training track for the USA Olympic team. I wanted to know what it felt like, I know now – it’s extreme! More recently I traveled to Lake Placid Olympic Sports Center this time with a coerced friend and rode their bobsled which starts half way down the track, a modified sled and only reaches 50 mph, not even close to the Utah experience. If this is the only thing I ever get to do on my bucket list, I’m good. In fact, I’m not so sure I even need a bucket list anymore. It was also the America’s Cup Bobsled race so I had the chance watch a live race and take a few photos. A bit of a challenge capturing something going 80 mph up so close and quite different from my typical subjects. I was amazed at the fact that I could stand right next to Curve 10! I’ll be going back March 2012… for the next race.

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Here was my view:

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A few shots from a very  entertaining day at the Boyle home. Farley’s choice for music was country music. I found that when I was editing the images I needed to listen to country music – it is interesting how the beat and the melody of country music is so soothing. Yes, I know the lyrics are a different thing…

Farley

Tank, the family’s French bulldog,   – that was hilarious!

The orange pumpkin, a birthday gift to her husband. It was quite a challenge to get the jeep into position without power steering!

The entire race can be viewed here.

Wheel envy…

No one can deny the haunting and powerful feeling that image conveys. No words, no motion, just an overwhelming sense of loss.

Imagination and memory are powerful things. The still image is what allows our imagination to roam; to consider what happened, before, during or after. It captures that fleeting moment and freezes it in time, something easily missed in motion. Consider how you see different things every time you watch a movie for the second or third time and are surprised at what you missed. Video leaves nothing to chance and records all the facts. Sometimes it is nice to selectively choose what you want to remember.

Diem My

Alicia

Sevy

Brittany

I only had the projected timetable as a guide so I knew they were getting close. Finally we saw the start of a very, very long convoy. Official race cars, police cars, motorcycles, a car that threw us sport beans and jelly bellies (a godsend since we had little time to prepare). Everyone waved, sirens blared and finally the car that gave the 4-mile warning…

Minutes later in the distance we could see the breakaway group surrounded by team cars. I did not even realize that Andy Schleck was behind the front group of three he was so tucked in behind them. In less than two minutes they were gone.

We stayed in our position on the ground waiting for the peloton, which was about 4 minutes behind. My son was beside me manning the second camera. I think my heart skipped a beat when I saw Team Radio Shack appear over the small rise spanning across the road leading the peloton. I had the same feeling you get when you are in the ocean and realize you are not out far enough to avoid a huge wave from crashing on you. It was such a thrill and in less than 5 minutes it was over. More team and official cars followed for a few more minutes and then we joined the convoy behind the race. We got to a brewery in Silverthorne just in time to see the end of the race and imbibe in much needed food and drink. While the time frame was so short the excitement has yet to wear off.