Financial Assistance

The biggest difficulties that athletes face are often financial. The US Skeleton Team, although ranked first in the world, has one of the poorest funding situations out of any winter Olympic team. Athletes will pay their own ways until they reach the US World Cup Team and even at this level funding is not guaranteed depending on the year. A full year can cost between $10000 and $20,000. This doesn't include basic living expenses that we all incur.

The more time that we can commit to our sport the better we can become. Often athletes will find themselves in a precarious balancing act with training, work, and even school. Financial support allows us to dedicate more of our time to our Olympic Dream, as well as opening new roads for us in regard to the equipment we can purchase. In a sport of hundredths of a second this is often the difference between medals and no medals.

To support my journey checks can be made payable to USBSF and sent to

Caleb Smith
USBSF ATF
196 Old Military Rd
Lake Placid, NY, 12946

And of course they are a contribution to charity and serve as a tax write off for you!
Please do not write my name on the check, but rather include a note that it is for Caleb Smith's Athlete Training Fund so that it remains tax deductible.

 Do You Want To Be More Involved ?

Whether you are just a fan or have a related skill such as engineering, machining, or anything else that might have to do with the ice sports, we appreciate your following. Our sport does not have a big audience and we cherish every person that shares in our passion for the ice sports! Your following and encouragement are some of the best things that we can get from you. If you have a donatable skill (mentioned above) and would like to become part of our support team contact myself or the USBSF (518) 523 1842 if you are interested.

US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

Are you interested in an online community where you can get some of the funniest skeleton news as well as interact with the athletes check out Slider Guide

Cost Examples For An Unfunded Season

Equipment:

Sled $4000-5000
Runners $750/Pair
Suits $200 Each
Gloves $20/Pair
Spikes $250/Pair
Helmet $220

Travel

Airlines $2000
Hotels $3500 based on $50/night for 10 weeks
Rental Cars $1500 appx
Food $700 appx for America and Canada,
when in Europe hotel rate covers food.

Fees and other MISC

Race fees, $200
Overweight Baggage (sleds) $200
Extra Training Runs (20 alloted) @ $20 per run $400