LAKE PLACID, N.Y.—Steven Holcomb captured the four-man bobsled title at the U.S. Bobsled National Championships on Sunday, leading all four heats during the two-day meet at the Olympic Sports Complex.
Holcomb piloted his sled to a combined time of 3 minutes, 37.09 seconds.
“Our BoDyn sled looks good, looks fast, and it’s definitely moving,” said Holcomb, of Park City, Utah. “Our runs over the last two days have felt great, and the sled is running really well.”
John Napier of Lake Placid compiled a four-run total of 3:38.66 to claim silver and qualify for the four-man event at the 2009 World Championships, which will be held in Lake Placid from Feb. 19-March 1.
Holcomb had already qualified for the World Championships based on World Cup points.
Napier, an engineer in the Army National Guard’s World Class Athlete Program, secured his position in the World Championship two-man event by claiming the U.S. title last weekend.
“I’m graced to be competing so well,” said Napier, who has been driving bobsleds since he was 8. “This is awesome, and I feel like I’ve moved into the major league.
“Holcomb is among the top three pilots in the world, and it’s good to have an opportunity to chase him so that I can see where I am compared to the best,” Napier added.
Holcomb and his team of Justin Olsen of San Antonio, Steve Mesler of Calgary, Alberta, and Curt Tomasevicz of Shelby, Neb., posted the two fastest push times of the competition, a 5.11 and 5.12.
“Last week was a disappointment, because everyone likes to win,” said Holcomb, who finished third in the two-man U.S. National Championship competition last weekend. “I’m back in my sled, and it feels good to get my mind back on track after a rough week.”
Mike Kohn of Myrtle Beach, S.C., a sergeant in the Virginia Army National Guard and a member of the National Guard Outstanding Athlete Program, drove his sled to a third-place finish with a combined time of 3:39.81.
