Skeleton sport in Australia 3384493 179259231 2007-12-20T21:25:08Z Marcus Cyron 299667 [[Image:Roller skeleton sled-bright.jpg|thumb|A practice skeleton sled with wheels underneath]] [[Image:AIS practice skeleton.jpg|thumb|A practice skeleton without wheels - only used when the athlete is on a treadmill]] '''[[Australia]]''' created a female team in the sport of '''[[skeleton (sport)|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. <ref name="SMHGoodSkeleton">[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.</ref> Almost 100 athletes from a variety of sports, including athletics and [[Surf lifesaving#Competition|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. <ref name="ANUpress">[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]]</ref> The athletes tested their wind resistance in [[Monash University]]'s [[wind tunnel]] to see which body positions would be the most [[aerodynamics|aerodynamic]]. The university's aerodynamicist said that the testing enabled the athletes to reduce drag by between five and ten percent. <ref name="Monashpress">[http://www.eng.monash.edu.au/news/archive/skeleton.html Skeleton team races the wind] Press release by [[Monash University]].</ref> 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, New South Wales|Dalmeny]] resident. * Bindee Johnston (formerly Bindee Goon Chew), 100m and 200m sprinter. [[Townsville, Queensland|Townsville]] resident. * [[Emma Lincoln-Smith]], surf lifesaving sportswoman. * [[Michelle Steele]], surf lifesaving sportswoman. Born [[March 8]], [[1986]]. [[Bundaberg, Queensland|Bundaberg]] resident. Michelle Steele was selected for Australia's women's slot after time trials in [[Königssee]], [[Germany]]. <ref name="TheAgeSteeleSet">[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]].</ref> 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. <ref name="AusHeadFirst">[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20400724-2722,00.html Candidates thrown in head first] [[The Australian]] [[September 13]], [[2006]]</ref> == See also == * [[Winter sport in Australia]] * [[Australia at the Winter Olympics]] * [[Australia at the 2006 Winter Olympics]] * [[Skeleton (sport)|Skeleton]] * [[Faisal Faisal]], an [[Iraq]]i skeleton athlete living in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] == External links == * [http://web.olympics.com.au/?pg=owia&spg=skeleton Skeleton section of OWIA web site] == References == <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. {{Australian sport}} [[Category:Sport in Australia]] [[Category:Skeleton racing]]