Skeleton sport in Australia

Australia created a female team in the sport of skeleton in the hope of winning a medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Physiologists Dr David Martin and Dr Angus Ross looked at a list of winter sports. They regarded the women's division of the sport as not currently being strongly competitive, therefore athletes in non-winter sports who possess the traits that would make a good skeleton athlete could win a medal. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/good-skeleton/2006/02/15/1139890806334.html AIS finds good skeleton is all in the physiology] Sydney Morning Herald, February 16, 2006.]

Almost 100 athletes from a variety of sports, including athletics and Surf lifesaving sports, were invited to be tested by the Australian Institute of Sport for their suitability in the sport.

The tests included their ability to sprint over 30 metres, body type and attitude. Training included practicing starts using a skeleton sled with wheels underneath. 35 people were selected for a training camp, and 10 comprised a squad that competed in the sport internationally. [http://info.anu.edu.au/mac/Newsletters_and_Journals/ANU_Reporter/098PP_2005/_003_Winter/_slippery_slope_to_success.asp Slippery slope to success] Press release by Australian National University]

The athletes tested their wind resistance in Monash University's wind tunnel to see which body positions would be the most aerodynamic. The university's aerodynamicist said that the testing enabled the athletes to reduce drag by between five and ten percent. [http://www.eng.monash.edu.au/news/archive/skeleton.html Skeleton team races the wind] Press release by Monash University.]

Five athletes were selected for the shadow team.
* Shaun Boyle, born January 30, 1971. The only male athlete in the skeleton shadow team.
* Melissa Hoar, surf lifesaving sportswoman. Dalmeny resident.
* Bindee Johnston (formerly Bindee Goon Chew), 100m and 200m sprinter. Townsville resident.
* Emma Lincoln-Smith, surf lifesaving sportswoman.
* Michelle Steele, surf lifesaving sportswoman. Born March 8, 1986. Bundaberg resident.

Michelle Steele was selected for Australia's women's slot after time trials in Königssee, Germany. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Steele-set-for-skeleton-Games-berth/2006/01/10/1136863230296.html Steele set for skeleton Games berth] The Age, January 10, 2005.] She came 13th at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Another recruitment drive occurred in mid 2006. Candidates will be assessed on spatial and body awareness, useful in driving a sled, as well as sprinting ability. Ten candidates will attend a training camp, and up to five will join Steele, Lincoln-Smith and Hoar in the national squad. [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20400724-2722,00.html Candidates thrown in head first] The Australian September 13, 2006]

See also

* Winter sport in Australia
* Australia at the Winter Olympics
* Australia at the 2006 Winter Olympics
* Skeleton
* Faisal Faisal, an Iraqi skeleton athlete living in Sydney, Australia

External links

* [http://web.olympics.com.au/?pg=owia&spg=skeleton Skeleton section of OWIA web site]

References

* [http://www.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2004/ascmedia/20040818a.asp Women wanted for death-defying skeleton] Press release by Australian Sports Commission looking for potential athletes. Published August 18, 2004.