Bobsled builder still committed to US team

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — Despite the lack of a contract with the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc. says it’s staying on its mission of building sleds for the U.S. team.

Project founder, NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine, says his group believes the only way it can continue to provide bobsleds free of charge to U.S. athletes is not through the USBSF.

Bo-Dyn has built several U.S. bobsleds, including the “Night Train” that Steven Holcomb, Steve Mesler, Curt Tomasevicz and Justin Olsen guided to the first American Olympic bobsledding gold medal in 62 years at the Vancouver Games.

Bo-Dyn’s leadership also clarified the status of longtime sled designer Bob Cuneo.

“Bob has not retired from the project,” said Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project President Phil Kurze. “Bob has retired from dealing with USBSF.”

The agreement between Bo-Dyn and the USBSF was terminated in April, and a meeting earlier this month failed to bring any new deal.

The sticking point for both sides is intellectual property. Bodine says the USBSF admits they can’t protect it and “that is crucial.”

Holcomb says he’s saddened by the impasse.