Welcome to nick cunningham us bobsled
AP Photo/Mike Groll
Bobsledder Nick Cunningham, front, competed in track and field and rodeo in college.
The Cowboy Feb 7, 2013 11:46 PM ET | By Sarah Spain
The main image on the home page of U.S. bobsledder Nick Cunningham's website looks like the cover of a country album or an ad for a local rodeo. Cunningham, who recently made the switch from the back of the sled to the driver's seat, stands a few steps in front of his push squad, clad in a plaid shirt and a black cowboy hat, thumbs hooked into the belt loops of his jeans.
He was never a professional cowboy, but he did dabble in the rodeo in college. The toughness he acquired from getting thrown off bulls prepared him to be shaken, but not broken, when he races down an icy course at 90 mph. A standout track athlete at Boise State, Cunningham realized he didn't have what it took to go pro as a sprinter, so he tried bobsled.
"Once I graduated from college, it was kind of like a reward to myself, to kind of go outside the box and do something new," Cunningham said. "What guy from Monterey, Calif., says he got to try out for the bobsled team?"
The 27-year-old didn't just try out, he excelled. He was selected as an alternate for the World Cup team the same year he started, and just two years later, he was competing for the U.S. in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
After helping push his Vancouver teams to 12th in the two-man event and 13th in the four-man event, Cunningham decided to make the switch from brakeman to driver.
"It's kind of a natural progression," he said last week from a hotel room in Switzerland, where he was preparing for the World Championships. "Brakes was a lot of fun, but it was kind of time to accept the responsibility and move up front. You have a longer shelf life as a pilot, you can be in the sport longer, and it's a little bit less abusive on your body."
But the move to the front of the sled can be quite difficult.
"It's really hard to go from the back to the front," Cunningham said. "You really do go to the very bottom of the USA totem pole. You have to work yourself all the way back up to that level that you were at."
Cunningham has moved up the ranks and now pilots the No. 2 sled for the U.S. As the man in front, he's not only the team's driver, but he's also their mechanic, travel agent and finance man.
"You pretty much own your own race team -- all the equipment too," Cunningham said of becoming a driver. "Some teams have to buy their own sleds, but luckily Team USA will supply me with a sled. All the tools are mine. The runners are mine -- and runners will cost up to $5,000-plus a set.
"It's definitely a money game. It's tough unless you have people supporting you and backing you, since it's all out of the pilot's pocket -- all the travel, all the hotels, rental cars, fuel."
Shortly after the 2010 Games, Cunningham decideded he needed some help if he wanted to continue competing. His pilot in the last Olympics, Mike Kohn, informed him about the U.S. Army World Class Athletes Program. Cunningham joined the Army in 2011 and is now a sergeant, stationed out of Lake Placid, N.Y.
"There are soldiers on all three U.S. sleds right now," Cunningham said. "In the offseason we're soldiers. We go to drill. We do military work and stuff. But during the season, they give us some financial backing and allow us to focus on our training."
The WCAP program is a huge help to Cunningham, but he still needs financial assistance from his family, friends and sponsors. He is committed to the Army for another four years and plans to continue bobsledding through the 2018 Games in South Korea.
For now, the focus is on the Sochi Games next February. Last week at the World Championships, Cunningham finished 13th in the two-man and 19th in the four-man. Barring any major injuries, his team is a virtual lock to make the Olympic team, so until then he will be devoted to getting stronger, faster and better.
"Right around March or April I'll take about a month and a half to two months off," Cunningham said. "I'll start training again in May and get after it pretty hard until we get on the ice in October. I'll be focusing a lot on strength and speed. Hitting these tracks and focusing on winning and staying that No. 2 sled."
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National Guard Soldier-athletes help with
Hurricane Sandy relief efforts
Hurricane Sandy Recovery
National Guard Soldier-athletes Nick Cunningham and Dallas Robinson write about their experience helping with recovery efforts
SGT Dallas Robinson:
Nick is attached to the New York National Guard 1156 engineering company in Kingston with luge athlete Joe Mortensen, and I am attached to the Kentucky National Guard. None of the three of us were actually mobilized after Hurricane Sandy hit because we are in the World Class Athlete Program, and our job this time of year is to be ready for our upcoming season. However, once I heard Nick and Joe were going to voluntarily drive six hours to the city to help with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, I immediately put on my uniform and hopped in my truck to follow. I caught up with them a couple of hours later at their unit in Kingston. Regardless of our training, we are Soldiers first and always eager to jump at any opportunity to serve our country. We are honored to be Soldiers, and we know that the small sacrifice we made pales in comparison to the true heroes who are serving overseas protecting our country.
SGT Cunningham and SGT Robinson visit the FDNY
We knew there were hard hit areas, but most of the city was in pretty good shape due to the swift cleanup efforts of New York City workers. Even though the subways weren't working, trees had fallen and power was out, the people of New York City didn't seem to have an ounce of fear in them...they just kept moving on like any other day. I think it's amazing how hardworking city workers like the NYPD and FDNY are. There was not a corner in the city where we did not see a police officer guiding traffic or helping someone. I'm certain many of them haven't slept in days, and for that reason I already feel guilty being back at the Olympic Training Center writing this. It's also amazing how resilient the citizens of New York City are; they cannot be shaken.
SGT Nick Cunningham:
Wow, that was an experience I'll never forget. SGT Robinson and I wanted to do as much as possible and help as many people as we could in the short amount of time that we had. We first stopped by Tom Santagato's house in Astoria, N.Y. Tom is competing in the skeleton selection races in Park City, Utah and had no way to get home, so we wanted to put him at ease knowing that his family was safe. We then moved into the heart of the damage.
SGT Robinson:
SGT Cunningham and I got a tip and headed to an area that was hard hit and in need of aid. As we drove into
this region the traffic slowed on each side of the road. There wasn't a traffic jam, but there literally weren't any civilian vehicles in working order!
Eventually the majority of the vehicles actually moving were painted in some type of camouflage or had l ights attached to the roof of them. As we traveled further into the area we were driving alongside a FEMA convoy, but eventually even the lights and FEMA trucks were no where to be found. Upon entering the devastated area we quickly noticed it was completely different than the rest of the city we had already been to. Trees had fallen and the power lines were lying all over the place leaving residents in the cold and dark, but the overall devastation was far worse than we had ever seen. Cars were strategically placed in yards and smashed into road medians from the outgoing tide. We saw 40-foot boats lifted vertically and resting against buildings, and large 100-year oak trees swimming along as driftwood.
We drove for a while weaving in and out of obstacles until the road stopped. The road was blocked entirely and the only way out was the way that we came. We had not come all the way from Lake Placid to not jump in and do what we could. So Nick and I parked our truck, stepped out into shin-deep water and put on our work gloves.
SGT Cunningham:
We parked our truck at the end of the street and just started helping everyone we could. By the time we arrived the floodwater had receded and residents were returning to their homes to see the absolute destruction. Once SGT Robinson and myself cleared the block of houses and made sure everyone was safe and in no immediate need or danger we just began helping by clearing debris, moving ruined furniture and just listening to everyone's stories. Many of these families had just finished their renovations from Hurricane Irene a year ago.
SGT Robinson:
Every single person we spoke to was unified with a sad but thankful heart. They said they were so appreciative of "what they still had" and were just anxious to "fix it and move on." Many said, "Help my neighbor first"- in a sharp New York accent of course. One old man said "Ehh, I'm fine- I'm 71 years young and don't need anything. Maybe my neighbors do though, go check on them. Unless you want for me to make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich". He said it in a joking way, but I know with the bread and peanut butter next to him on the porch he would have made us one heck of a sandwich if we had taken him up on it.
I was greeted by an elderly couple at the next house, and as we walked through the door the lady just put her hands over her face and started crying. I could tell she had been holding in her tears for some time prior to that. I couldn't do or say anything at that moment, so I just hugged her and she hugged me. In about 30 seconds she was ready to start telling us her story and where the water came to and also which items of heavy water logged furniture needed to be taken to the curb.
SGT Cunningham:
Clearing homes and watching the residents open drawers and find ruined priceless possessions was absolutely devastating to watch. Some just cried while others wanted to clear out as much as possible before their family returned home to see the destruction. Several times I was just taken back by everyone's attitude. Nobody was mad, pointing a finger or looking to place blame. Everyone was helping everyone. Neighbors were helping each other; strangers were helping move ruined cars from the roads. I have never been more proud to be American.
SGT Robinson:
We only spent about two days in the city and visited a couple dozen homes. We didn't get to jump into the ocean and lift someone crying for help to safety and never found a cat in a tree to save, but we did get to come into contact with and help some amazing people. When we started our journey on Tuesday to New York City we were anxious to make a difference. As we traveled back this Thursday we felt somehow older, and the five-hour trip seemed to take twice that time. I know I speak for both Nick and myself when I say we have heavy hearts for the families in the devastated areas and we wish we could head back tomorrow to help further. I think Nick and I have a new perspective on life and are so much more appreciative of what we have. Please keep the people of New York City in your prayers.
SGT Cunningham:
In the past 48 hours we focused on what was important. It wasn't about bench press, squats, or power cleans. It wasn't about the Olympics, looking for funding or trying to find that fast line. It was all about giving these people their lives back. To give a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. It definitely put everything into perspective and really made me realize what is truly important to me.
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Cunningham sweeps bobsled selection races
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (Oct. 24, 2012)- Nick Cunningham (Monterey, Calif.) added another win to his sliding resume tonight. Cunningham and his crew of Adam Clark (Owenton, Ky.), Andreas Drbal (Belmont, Calif.) and Johnny Quinn (McKinney, Texas) won the four-man bobsled competition with a convincing lead.
Cunningham piloted his four-man bobsled to the finish in 1:51.34 to lead the competition by an impressive 0.37 seconds.
“Wow,” Cunningham said. “It’s good to finally put everything together. This is just a stepping-stone to the next step. This is fun, it’s good to have numbers, but when all the big boys get here for World Cup is when we have to start racing. We’re excited.”
“These guys really stepped it up,” Cunningham said. “This was only the sixth run ever for Andreas, but he stepped in when we needed him and I think all of us gel well. Tonight was really awesome.”
Drbal joined team Cunningham after a teammate was injured last week. Cunningham, Clark, Drbal and Quinn posted start times of 5.06 and 5.05 seconds.
Men’s results:
1. Cunningham, Clark, Drbal and Quinn 1:51.34 (55.61, 55.73); 2. Butner, Berkeley, Vandracsek and Fogt 1:51.71 (55.75, 55.96); 3. Bascue, Beckom, Michener and Taylor 1:52.17 (55.95, 56.22); 4. Peterson, Weber, Cremin and Lightsey 1:53.48 (56.63, 56.85); 5. Berghorn, Dollens, Baker and Blandford 1:54.14 (57.00, 57.14); 6. Noller, Langton, Adams and Ives (56.19, DNF);
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Cunningham makes strong bid for World Cup spot
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (Oct. 20, 2012)-The competitive season kicked off with a fierce race to the finish in the first women’s and men’s two-man bobsled national team selection races at Mt. Van Hoevenberg tonight.
Pilots Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah) was granted a bye onto the team for his World Championship performance last season and was used as a pilot sled in tonight’s competition, leaving the first gold medal of the season up for grabs. Driver Nick Cunningham (Monterey, Calif.) took advantage of the opportunity and threaded together the fastest two heats to claim the lead tonight.
“Tonight was a testament to the depth of our program,” said men’s head coach Brian Shimer. “Every team on the hill tonight was in contention for the lead, and the athletes are pushing one another to get better.
Cunningham and Johnny Quinn (McKinney, Texas) led the men’s race by 0.07 seconds with a total time of 1:54.51. “It feels good,” Cunningham said. “Every single day is race day with these guys. You have four time World Champion and Olympic gold medalist on one side, and me and Cory swapping back and forth on the other side. Every day is a competition for 1-2-3, and I wouldn’t change anything- although maybe the exit of 18 on that last run.”
Cory Butner (Yucaipa, Calif.) and Jesse Beckom (Chicago, Ill.) posted identical finish times to finish second to team Cunningham with a combined time of 1:54.58.
“With Nick and I it’s always a close race,” Butner said. “I was telling Jesse before the race that it’s going to be a fight- it’s going to come down to hundredths of a second. It’s always a good race, and it’s good to see that it makes us both competitive and helps us get better.”
Results:
1. Nick Cunningham and Johnny Quinn 1:54.51 (57.27, 57.24); 2. Cory Butner and Jesse Beckom 1:54.58 (57.29, 57.29); 3. Codie Bascue and Nic Taylor 1:55.04 (57.32, 57.72); 4. Jay Noller and Andreas Drbal 1:55.73 (57.48, 58.25); 5. Jake Peterson and Nathan Weber 1:56.42 (58.29, 58.13); 6. Bryan Berghorn and Jordan Quam 1:56.80 (58.17, 58.63); 7. Colin Coughlin and Kevin Ives 1:57.54 (58.64, 58.90);
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Cunningham winS Bobsled Pilot Push Championship Title
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (Oct. 5, 2012)-Nick Cunningham (Monterey, Calif.) clinched the 2012 U.S. National Bobsled Pilot Push Competition title on the wheeled push track in Lake Placid, N.Y. this morning. Cunningham posted the lowest combined time of two pushes to claim the title.
Cunningham posted a combined time of 8.99 seconds to win the men’s pilot push title by 0.11 seconds. The brakeman turned pilot clocked push times of 4.49 and 4.50 seconds to lead the veteran field.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Cunningham said. “Today was really day one of the season, and my goal over the offseason was to carry the momentum from last year into this season. My training partners held me accountable this summer, and we really push each other to get better. I couldn’t be more pleased with today’s result.”
Olympic and World Champion Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah) pushed times of 4.54 and 4.56 seconds for a total of 9.10 to secure second place. Cory Butner (Yucaipa, Calif.) trailed Holcomb by only 0.03 seconds to finish third after clocking runs of 4.57 and 4.56 seconds.
“It’s awesome seeing everyone out here pushing hard,” Cunningham said. “We’re all pretty pumped to get on the ice, and we plan on putting a team together that can rival the best in the world.”
St. Moritz, Switzerland
About the Sled
Minimum Weight
Sled including the runners and without the crew:
2-man bobsled: 170 Kg (374 lbs)
4-man bobsled: 210 Kg (462 lbs)
Maximum Weight:
Sled including the crew, the runners and the other equipment:
Men’s 2-man bobsled: 390 Kg (858 lbs)
Men’s 4-man bobsled: 630 Kg (1386 lbs)
Nick’s FIBT Ranking
February 17, 2013
2 Man Bobsled 12th
4 Man Bobsled 12th
Combined 2/4 Man 14th
Nick’s World Cup Ranking
February 17, 2013
2 Man Bobsled 12th
4 Man Bobsled 10th
Combined 2/4 Man 10th
Sochi, Russia
Sochi, Russia
Photo by Justin Olsen
Team Cunningham’s first podium
COUNTDOWN TO
SOCHI, RUSSIA
Nick Cunningham, a Sergeant in the New York Army National Guard's 1156 Engineering Co. Vert. is also a member of the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). Cunningham graduated from Monterey Peninsula College in 2005 and Boise State University in 2008 with a degree in Communications.
Cunningham was a brakeman for USA 3’s 2 Man and 4 Man Olympic Team in 2010. After the games, Cunningham switched from the back of the sled to being the pilot.
As a rookie driver he qualified a third sled for the USA to compete in the 2012 World Championships held in Lake Placid, NY.
2 Man Sled
USA-3 Nick Cunningham (Monterey, Calif.) and Dallas Robinson (Georgetown, Ky.) wrapped up their World Championship debut with a ninth place finish. Cunningham shocked the field by posting the third fastest run of the second heat, and was again in the mix with some of the best teams in the world in the final. The duo posted starts of 5.18 and 5.14 for runs of 56.15 and 55.99 seconds, respectively, and clocked a four-run total of 3:44.35 for a top 10 finish.
4 Man Sled
USA-3 of Nick Cunningham (Monterey, Calif.), Jesse Beckom (Chicago, Ill.), Johnny Quinn (McKinney, Texas) and Dallas Robinson (Georgetown, Ky.) moved up one position into 13th to conclude their rookie season together. Team USA-3 posted starts of 5.07 and 5.04 seconds for runs of 54.53 and 54.59 seconds, respectively, today. Cunningham drove the team to a total time of 3:39.68 to finish ahead of a competitive field of World Championship veterans.
“Words don’t really explain the emotion that I have when I think about my first World Championships on home ice and seeing our whole team come together,” Cunningham said. “I wish we had a couple more runs because we’re getting faster.”
