Dear Ms. ____,
I am interested in racing skeleton sleds as well as driving bobsleds. I believe I would be exemplary at it.
I am no stranger to winter sports, or Lake Placid for that matter. I was a short track speedskater from ages 6 to 18, skating in the 1998 Olympic Trials and gaining the national rank of 13th in 1999. Being from Saratoga Springs, NY, I attended frequent training camps at Lake Placid’s OTC. I excelled at running cross-country and pole-vaulted throughout high school. My short track career concluded in 1999 so I could attend the US Coast Guard Academy for college. In college, I rowed crew and played ice hockey. As an extracurricular, I competed in a handful of Olympic-length triathlons, including the Collegiate National Triathlon in 2003. Since college, I have remained extremely active racing in adventure races (30-hour races), bike races, duathlons, skiing many of North America’s most renowned ski peaks, and hitting the ice any chance I could get for hockey as well as for both long and short track speedskating.
I have piloted aircraft for the past four years, most notably US Coast Guard rescue helicopters for the last two. With this profession, I believe I have the requisite eye/hand skills necessary to be an Olympic-level skeleton/bobsled driver.
I understand that both skeleton and bobsled take time and dedication, both of which I am willing and able to give. I believe, with my unique combination of skills, accomplishments, practical knowledge of aerodynamics, strong competitive character, proven ability to work as part of an intimate and disciplined team, and experience - in sports, the armed forces, aviation, and the professional world, I am what USBSF needs. I want in; what is my next step?
I genuinely appreciate your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim Cooley.