ANOTHER GREAT LIFE LIST IDEA:

go to skeleton fantasy camp

Have you always wanted to do this? Or have you done it?

Add it to your life list - a list of everything you want to do and have done. Keep your bucket list on SuperViva for ongoing inspiration, help from others, and flexibility planning over time. Learn more or start by adding this goal to your list!

First listed by:

Who's Done It

robiola

See all

Connect with people who want to go to skeleton fantasy camp

Discuss your thoughts with people who want to do this or have done it before.

Suggest this idea to friends who might be into it!

Comments:

robiola
says:
01/09/2007

After thinking about this for years, and fantasizing about becoming an Olympian, I finally decided right before Christmas to go for it and sign up for skeleton introduction camp at Utah Olympic Parks. Needless to say, I had no experience of any kind, but it was exciting to think about. I paid for the camp, go a plane ticket and hotel room, and didn't really have time to stress about it.

Finally the day arrived for the camp, and I drove up through a snowstorm to the top of the mountain. I checked in, got my information packet and waited to meet the coach. I met the other people doing the camp (there were about 6 or 7 of us and only one other woman doing the skeleton) and we talked about why we decided to do it. Mainly we were curious and I think I was the only one who had traveled so far just to try it. We got our gear, helmets, cleats, and were fitted for a sled which was basically a piece of metal with some thin padding.

At the midway point of the run (we didn't start at the top), we were dropped off and the coaches prepared us for the ride. It was without a doubt a very scary moment. I was second in the lineup and the first guy zoomed away yelling! I got on the slide face down and the coach positioned me on the sled. Then she let me go and I went into the ice tunnel. I was going about 50 mph through twists and turns and hung on for dear life. Nothing I've ever done had prepared me for how scary this was. When I got to the end, I just lay there breathing heavily. I couldn't even stand up and another coach came and picked up my sled. I didn't think I could do my second run, and when I was back at the top and lying on the sled, I almost didn't. But I said to myself, and out loud, "I have to!" And the second was the best run I had. I knew what to expect, kept my elbows in, unlike the first run where I smashed it on the wall, and felt a little more confident. They clocked me at 54 mph in the turns.

I was tired for the third run, and could barely hang on, and was glad when it was over. It was very stormy and cold on the mountain, and I was exhausted. I was told that even the skeleton athletes only do 3 or 4 runs in a day, so I felt good that I managed to do all three. One guy dropped out after 1 run.

It was quite a sense of accomplishment having achieved this goal, and I'm happy I did it so early in the year. I would encourage anyone who has a goal that seems impossible to go for it! Who knows? This may really be the start of my Olympic career!