In Europe, bobsled teams receive funding from their national governments and sponsors. Germany’s program has a large budget dedicated to sled research, testing, and engineering, with Germany’s winter sports program bringing in generous amounts from sponsorships by adidas and Allianz. The Americans work with a $50,000 sled budget.

“Our sled mechanic has started making our own sleds here in the U.S., and that’s a game changer,” Gadbois said. “We’ve noticed that they are just as fast, if not faster, than the German equipment.”

Bobsled, he added, is “like an F1 car that doesn’t have a motor.” The sleds are built for speed, not comfort. Sleds, Gadbois said, are made up of thin, carbon-fiber shells with steel frames that rocket down the ice at over 80 miles per hour. Olympic-sized bobsleds can cost up to $100,000, and a single set of metal runners can estimate around $15,000-20,000. 

To ship the sleds to Europe on time, the American use air freight to ship up to 4,000 pounds of equipment. With additional travel costs, food, and race fees, the cost of one season adds up. 

“When you are trying to train and compete at such a high level, but then your attention is at a different place, it takes away from letting this group think about the chemistry, letting us focus on what’s important at this point in our lives, which is sliding and being able to represent the USA,” said Bryan Sosoo, a push athlete on Gadbois’ sled.

Bobsled’s limited finances are linked to the sport’s limited exposure in the United States. In the U.S., Bobsled thrives on Olympic coverage; however, early broadcast times during the World Cup season in Europe and lack of awareness regarding non-Olympic competitions can limit viewers. 

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