Skeleton Speed Training

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Chris Hoina, USA Skeleton Competitor

I’ve been using the Freelap Timing System for the past 6 months. To review, I found the set-up and ease-of-use to rival other timing systems currently on the market. The fact that the Freelap system packs smartly in a travel case is a feature I enjoy. I’m also pleased at how quickly the Freelap system can be assembled, and generally operational within a couple minutes; no alignment needed, no calibration. The accessories included for different starting options are also something that has proven valuable for me.

As a Skeleton athlete, my training most closely resembles that of a 100m sprinter. So, it makes sense for me to always be aware of my sprinting progress throughout any given training cycle. All things being equal, the sprint portion can make-or-break a race in Skeleton. Aside from proper driving technique and technical skill, sprinting is the only other portion of the race where a slider can make up time. Additionally, each year, in order to maintain funding through the USOC, we must participate in a Skeleton and Bobsled Combine (much like that of NFL Combine), and in both of these instances sprinting is of great significance.

In our Combine 15m, 30m, 45m and 30m fly times are recorded and scored based off of our sprinting times. Additionally, our Combine sprint test begins with a 1m roll-in start. The Freelap system is perfectly suited for this type of test, and has proven invaluable. As previously stated, it is imperative I continue to show progress during the off-season, which can only be done through a timing system like Freelap. For an athlete like myself, it is especially important that I have a system that is easy to set-up and user-friendly. From a logistical standpoint, Freelap is unparalleled – it can be set-up and broken down within minutes. If I were to use other timing systems on the market, it would certainly take considerably more time ensure that all components were operational.

The Freelap system has proven valuable to my training for mock Combine tests. It has allowed me to record data and compare that to future data, a factor that is extremely important to my training. It is advantageous to be able to grab the Freelap system, head out to the track and be ready to test in a matter of minutes. It is not as cumbersome as other timing units, and I alone can set the system up in a relatively short amount of time. The Freelap system has proven extremely beneficial to my training.

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