We have some truly amazing athletes and competitors in Canada.  I have heard Pierre Lueders‘ name numerous times over many years, and while always excited by his bobsleigh wins, I didn’t really understand how extensive they are.  His achievements include: Olympic Gold Nagano 1998 for two-man bobsleigh, Olympic Silver Turin 2006 for two-man bobsleigh, as well as numerous medals in World Championships stretching from 2007 back to 1994 in both two- and four-man bobsleigh!

On his quest for Olympic gold in Vancouver and around the world in 2009-2010 Pierre Lueders has offered up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – a fundraising event on ebay.ca that could land your name on Pierre’s sled as well as yourself and a friend behind Pierre for a chance to slide in a bobsleigh!  You will also get an autographed photo and Pierre will visit and do a presentation at the Alberta school of your choice following the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games!  Gah!  I wish this was a prize!  Well, it is in many senses.  Check out the ebay auction here to put your bid on this amazing opportunity (I’ll happily come along as your friend for the bobsleigh ride!  I’ll even bring cookies!  I’ll even bake the cookies myself!).

I really can’t imagine what it is like in a bobsleigh piloted by one of the best in the world and one of the most decorated bobsledders in history!  OK, well, maybe I can.  I would think you’d have to start with some pre-slide training (as taught by Pierre??).  Such as, how to get into the sled… how to sit in the sled… how not to scream like a baby while sliding down an icy hill in a tiny sled at high speeds.  Then, there would be the part where you do all of the above (hopefully not screaming too loudly).  It would really be such an amazing experience!

If you’re interested in bidding on your chance to become the 3rd member of Pierre’s two-man team and the 5th member of Pierre’s four-man team, please check out the auction here and bid away!  The money is going to help put our athletes on the podium, and really where else should they be?!

If you’re curious what it’s like to be in a bobsleigh then check out this youtube video by one of the Austrian teams, it puts you in the sled!  Eeee!!  It’s fast!