Sport Overview

Skeleton is a winter Olympic sport with the International Federation known as the FIBT (Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing).

Two years ago, AIS scientists had nothing more than a dream – to target a Winter Olympic sport and prepare Australian athletes to at first qualify and then to medal.

That sport was the extreme Olympic winter sport of Skeleton and at the 2006 Torino games their first goal was realised. Former Australian beach sprinter Michelle Steele created history by qualifying for Torino after some incredible performances on the world stage. But Michelle proved that the AIS hadn’t created a ‘one-slider-wonder’ program, as team mate Melissa Hoar triumphed at the 2006 World Junior (U23) Championships.

Skeleton involves a sprint running start and sliding head first down a bobsled track. In 2004 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) staff Dr Dave Martin and Dr Jason Gulbin were among two scientists who embarked on this ambitious project. The two along with world renowned US skeleton coach Terry Holland created a team who matched a specific athletic profile that would be suitable for the sport.

Current Projects

The NTID Skeleton program, together with the AIS and the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA), is preparing existing and novice athletes for senior international competition, with the goal of preparing, qualifying and medalling at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

The 2007/08 season consists of:

• World Cup Competitions (November 2007 to February 2008)
• Junior World Championships (Igls (AUT) February 8, 2008)
• Senior World Championships (Altenberg (GER) February 22-23, 2008)

Squads

During 2006/07 Season, the inclusion of the additional developmental athletes had an immediate effect on the World Cup performers. Instead of a three person tri-opoly, there are now four new, eager, fast and talented sliders with the determination to get to the Vancouver Olympic Games.

The 2007/08 Australian Skeleton Team consists of

• Michelle Steele (QLD)
• Melissa Hoar (NSW)
• Emma Lincoln-Smith (NSW)
• Ami Wallace (QLD)
• Lucy Chaffer (WA)
• Renee McCabe (WA)
• Teneile Richards (QLD)

Results

In 2004, after numerous responses from high level athletes a team of 10 women was created. The results these women attained over the next two years was nothing short of astounding, and ultimately led to Michelle Steele qualifying for the elite 15 woman field for the Torino Games – only three months after her first World Cup outing and six months of training on ice.

Season 2006/7 met and exceeded all KPI’s set by the AIS and OWI. Australia also gained podium position at a World Cup and finished top six at World Championships.

Australia continued to improve its overall nations ranking and demonstrated its depth of athlete performance by finishing 4^th behind the winter sport powerhouses in USA, Canada, and Germany.

2006/7 Nagano World Cup

• Michelle Steele 2^nd
• Melissa Hoar 7^th 

2006/7 Senior World Championships

• Michelle Steele 6^th
• Emma Lincoln-Smith 12^th 
• Melissa Hoar 12^th

2006/7 Park City World Cup

• Michelle Steele 8^th

2006/7 Calgary World Cup

•  Michelle Steele 9^th

2006/7 Winterberg World Cup

• Emma Lincoln-Smith 11^th

2006/7 Lake Placid Americas Cup

• Ami Wallace 8^th
• Renee McCabe 10^th

Program Supporters

• Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
• Australian Sports Commission
• Australian Institute of Sport

Contacts/Links

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia

For further information and enquires please click here

Did you know?

Australia is one of only two nations to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games

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