Take 10 with Curt Tomasevicz

Husker Football fans might remember Curt Tomasevicz as the walk-on linebacker and special teams performer from Shelby, Neb., who earned his degree in electrical engineering in December 2003.  However, the rest of the world know Tomasevicz as a member of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team who competed in the winter games in Torino, Italy. 

 

Since then, Tomasevicz has been continuing his bobsled career, competing in events around the world, with a few more just ahead.  In between pushing a bobsled 90-miles per hour down an icy hill, jetsetting around the world and nursing a crash-induced collarbone injury, he found a little time to Take 10 with Huskers.com.

 

1. You just competed in the World Cup season – how did you do?
During this past World Cup season, I pushed for USA I in six two-man races and two four-man races. As a team we finished, fourth in two-man and fourth in four-man, and third in the combined points. Highlights included one bronze, one silver, and one gold medal in the two-man. In the World Championships, we finished 10th in two-man and sixth in four-man. I also drove for four two-man races in the America's Cup circuit this year finishing with one bronze medal. (There are two more America's Cup races on April 3rd and 4th that I will drive in as well). The World Cup circuit is made up of races in Canada, the United States, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. The America's Cup races are held in just Canada and the U.S.

 

2. What's your role on your bobsled team?
My primary role on the team is pushing. I can push for both two-man and four-man from any position. I pushed for USA II and rode in the second spot in the 2006 Olympics. In the past year, I also started driving. It's a lot different role as a driver. It's more of a leadership role and it requires a lot of skill and patience.

3. How did you get into bobsledding in the first place?
Amanda Moreley (former NU track athlete) was recruited to be on the women's bobsled team in 2003. She suggested that I try out for the bobsled team when I was done playing football. Former NU strength coaches Bryan Bailey and Roger DeGarmo put together lifting programs for me to train. I flew to Calgary for testing and was then asked to join the 2004 World Cup Circuit.

 

4. What's the best part about bobsledding?
I think the best part of bobsledding is the opportunities it brings; to travel the world, to meet many people, to represent the United States on an international level.

5. How did football help prepare you for your role on the bobsled team?
Bobsledding is a sport of pure power and speed. We do a lot of the same lifts and workouts, with a little more focus on sprints. The job of pushing a bobsled lasts about 5 or 6 seconds (very similar to a football play).

 

6. You also participated on the 2006 U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team – how was your experience?
The Olympics was the highlight of my life so far. From the opening and closing ceremonies to the race itself, it was a great two weeks. I received hundreds of e-mails from people back in the United States. My hometown of Shelby, Neb., had a gathering at the two local bars to watch the races. I was really honored by all the support.

 

7. Any plans to go for the 2010 Olympic team?
Yes, right now I'm preparing to try for the 2010 games in Vancouver. I'm excited because it's somewhat of a close location, so I think that a number of people I know will come watch. I'm also considering becoming a driver for the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia. But that is a long time away to plan anything!

8. What's the fastest time your team has logged?
Each track is a little different, but we have reached speeds of over 90 miles per hour in Switzerland. The new track in Vancouver will see sleds reach 100 miles per hour. Each track is about a mile long and it takes about 55 seconds depending on the number of curves and the grade of the track.

 

9. Where was the best run you've ever sledded?
I've pushed for Steve Holcomb in two-man and we won the gold in the World Cup race in Cesana, Italy in 2006-07 and a gold in Park City, Utah in 2007-08. As a driver, I won a bronze in the America's Cup race in Calgary, Canada this past January.

10. Where was the scariest run you've ever sledded?
I've been in over two dozen crashes in my four-year career. The worst one was about a month ago. I was riding in the back of a four-man sled and we crashed in the 14th curve of a 19-curve track in Altenberg, Germany. During the crash, my collarbone and top rib on my right side were slightly pulled away from my sternum. I'm just getting over the injury now. It was pretty painful for a while.