design: Hiya Patel
permission to print: Audrey Selsor
While some people play basketball, and some play hockey, very few people bobsled or ski. Due to this, these two sports are considered unconventional, meaning they aren’t as well-known or popular.
Since these sports aren’t as popular, not many people know how they are played or how points are scored. But, just like any other sport, some rules and regulations go along with them.
Bobsledding is one of the most underrated and unknown sports, it is a very rare occurrence to run into someone who bobsleds. “Bobsledding is like NASCAR on ice, but you get two runs for each race,” Olympian Adrian Adams said through an Instagram conversation.
Bobsledding was first introduced in the 1800s in upstate New York. Mens bobsledding has been an Olympic sport since 1924, with womens racing being implemented in 2002, according to Britannica.
To understand the sport of bobsledding, one must first understand the format of a competition. A speed of 80 to 100 miles per hour must be reached in the first 250 meters. In this sport, either two or four players drive the sleigh on the ice track and complete the race by providing the initial boost and then maintaining the speed as well as balancing the sleigh on the icy track according to TutorialsPoint.
“I compete in two-man and four-man teams. But after the first run, only the top 20 get a second run. In the World Championships and Olympics, there’s an opportunity for four runs, judged by the fastest time down the track,” Adams said.
In the two-man event, the sled is pushed and rode by one man and the other is the brakeman. In the four-man event, there is one driver, two pushers, and one brakeman who work together to control the sled, according to NBC Washington.
“I fell in love with this sport, I get to represent my country, I love to compete at a high level that the sport provides, and I just love everything about it, such as the teamwork, and the brotherhood and friendships,” Adams said.
One other unconventional sport is skiing. Although this sport is a little more popular, it is still not as widespread.
Just like any other sport, skiing requires much practice and skill. “Not only do you need good balance and core strength, but you also need to have good coordination. When going over jumps or more challenging runs, you need to know how to stay safe and listen to your body,” sophomore Sophia Kulesa said. She has been skiing for five years.
Skiing can be done both for competition, or for fun. When skiing for competition, the goal is to run down the course and cross the gate line in the fastest time possible to win, compared to skiing for fun, where speed is not as important.
“I don’t ski for competition. I prefer to go at my own pace. It could be fun, but for now, I enjoy just going with my friends,” Kulesa said. “It’s so much fun to just be out there with friends and enjoy the snow!”
The two closest ski resorts to ski in Columbus are Snow Trails in Mansfield and Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield. Both these resorts are rated four out of five stars, according to Tripadvisor.
“I ski at Snow Trails, along with many of my friends. It’s pretty big, for a resort in Ohio. They have multiple big runs ranging from green circles to black diamonds,” Kulesa said. “Although, I’ve been skiing a couple of times out West and it will always be my favorite.”
Support is always appreciated from athletes and it’s very easy to achieve. A few ways to do this are tuning into the Winter Olympics, following athletes on social media, and sending them positive messages.
