John Kershner was watching and grabbed this screen shot of me in the sidelines.
Today six bobsleds crashed during the first two heats of the Olympic four-man bobsled event up at the Whistler Sliding Centre.
I was right at the side of the track when the USA-2 bobsled flipped over and slid side-ways over the finish line. Apparently, USA-2 pilot, John Napier, lost control during the infamous curve nicknamed “50-50.”
I was able to capture all the action in this short snapshot video that shows the entire incident, including footage of the Americans being pulled from the bobsled and being assessed for injuries. There were no major injuries, but a very tense moment for the Americans and the worried fans in the crowd.
Shot with 5DMKII, 16/35mm f/2.8
Martin
February 27, 2010 at 3:18 AMYou certainly had a great view of the action!
It seems to be a pretty nasty bobsled track, as numerous sleds have crashed, finishing the course on their heads.
Steve Crane
February 27, 2010 at 3:28 AMGlad they were not seriously hurt. The sled couldn’t have stopped in a better spot for you to capture this. I want to know what the deal is with that rescuers head; looks like he’s sans hat, bald and has a red stripe and perhaps cross tattooed or painted on his head.
Robert Szkolnicki
February 27, 2010 at 8:04 AMOn broadcast television, seeing a team climb out after a bender seems rather ordinary, but your vid shows how quick the course workers react to secure the sled. And the audio of the team wiggle their way out is a reminder that this is not ordinary at all.
Good post.
Robert,
Winnipeg
Daniel
February 27, 2010 at 10:05 AMU couldn’t ask for more I will say. :-)
Tino
February 27, 2010 at 12:24 PMOur Woman on the scene, Lisa, with Video at 11… Awesome!!!
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twoeightnine
February 27, 2010 at 12:29 PM@Steve, He’s got a thin mohawk and a maple leaf shaved into his hair that’s dyed red.
USA-2 Four Man Bobsled Crash at the Olympics « Kurznotiz
February 27, 2010 at 12:34 PM[…] } Freundin Lisa war dabei, als der Bob USA-2 nach einem Crash zum Stillstand […]
Craig Taylor
February 27, 2010 at 7:14 PMthis video no longer exists? Dang. I was about to share it
Darren
February 27, 2010 at 9:53 PMMethinks your video fell victim to the Olympic Copyright Police.
Mostly Lisa
February 28, 2010 at 1:45 AM@Darren: i’m not sure what happened, but it was definitely deleted. vimeo didn’t notify me, so i put it back up. we’ll see how long it stays up for.
Darren
February 28, 2010 at 11:38 AM@Lisa Thanks, I watched it. I expect that Vimeo is scanning video titles for words like ‘Olympics’ and the names of sports and so forth, so as to avoid the wrath of the IOC.
Denver Photographer
March 1, 2010 at 2:44 PMWow, nice capture! Talk about the right place at the right time! Too bad the networks couldn’t have bought that coverage from you, from my perspective it looks a little more dramatic and interesting than most of what the networks typically show.
PS. USA needed some extra racing stripes on that sled, that’s how to do it!
Tonia
March 1, 2010 at 8:39 PMChuck Berkeley of USA2 is my brother. I was at the start to see his awesome push and then watched the crash on the big screen. It seemed like forever before he stopped. You got an awesome video. Very thankful he made it out of the sled in one piece.
Stijn DP
March 2, 2010 at 2:28 AMThis video made me think of the small beetle where 17Chinese come out ^^
Except these were Americans going +150km/h off course :)
Brent Fogt
March 2, 2010 at 4:03 PMChris Fogt (The brakeman) is my older brother. I’m glad you got this shot. It was unfortunate that they crashed, but I’m glad that no one got seriously injured.
Nchole
March 2, 2010 at 5:39 PMIt was very sad to see the crash. I only know 1 story and that is of Chuck Berkley. He worked so hard for years. I went up there t see the race from Walnut Creek CA. I hope they know we are still very proud and it is such a great ting to make it so far. Chuck I hope your proud of yourself. All of he bay Area is proud of you.
Mostly Lisa
March 2, 2010 at 5:54 PM@Tonia: So happy to hear that your brother is ok. Everyone at the event was so concerned.
@Brent Fogt: Again, happy to hear no one was injured. *hugs*
Mostly Lisa
March 2, 2010 at 6:07 PM@Nchole: Everyone that witnessed their bravery was proud of them. Their determination and concern for one another will inspire so many.
Adam Bradley
March 31, 2010 at 10:31 AMI seriously can’t believe it. I pray Wayne is healed for the cup!