I started sliding skeleton in 1995 in Calgary, Alberta, the site of the
1988 Winter Olympics. In 1996 I took my first trip overseas and competed
in my first World Cup, well then it was called "Ladies FIBT cup" but
same difference, in Kongissee, Germany and won a silver medal.
The track was built in 1968 and definitely reflects its age in its
architectural design. It's the first permanent, artificially
refrigerated track and instead of having the classic concrete snake
design hidden in the mountains it has dark wood panels covering the
concrete. There are no short walls in the massive "S" corners, so
spectators can walk right into the belly of the corner as a sled speeds
past.
All it takes is a little trust
- March 1, 2011 1:06 PM
- By Mellisa Hollingsworth
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When I fell, my country picked me up
- February 9, 2011 5:56 PM
- By Mellisa Hollingsworth
With the one-year anniversary of the Vancouver/Whistler Olympic Games upon us, I've had many different thoughts and emotions about my journey and the unexpected heartbreaking outcome.
When I got back to the athletes' village after my devastating fifth-place finish in skeleton, I was looking for a hole to crawl into. Instead, my country picked me back up. The emails and hand-written letters started to pour in from across Canada.
When I got back to the athletes' village after my devastating fifth-place finish in skeleton, I was looking for a hole to crawl into. Instead, my country picked me back up. The emails and hand-written letters started to pour in from across Canada.
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The magic of St. Moritz
- January 31, 2011 12:27 PM
- By Mellisa Hollingsworth
Every year when we arrive at the one-of-kind natural track in St. Moritz, Switzerland, I'm awestruck by the amount of work put into this masterpiece.
The history is incredible too. St. Moritz is where our sport originated, and the current track is a spin-off of the famous Cresta course built in the late 19th century.
The history is incredible too. St. Moritz is where our sport originated, and the current track is a spin-off of the famous Cresta course built in the late 19th century.
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In skeleton, and life, timing is everything
- December 14, 2010 10:12 AM
- By Mellisa Hollingsworth
I was sitting in the hot tub tonight with two of my teammates when we got to talking about our early days in skeleton.
The three of us all come from different generations of sliders, and we were reminiscing about what it was like when we first started in the sport and the journey it has taken us on.
The three of us all come from different generations of sliders, and we were reminiscing about what it was like when we first started in the sport and the journey it has taken us on.
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Mixed emotions in my return to Whistler
- December 1, 2010 12:08 PM
- By Mellisa Hollingsworth
Nostalgic, sentimental recollection.
That's what I felt a few weeks ago when I arrived at the Whistler Sliding Centre, nine months after my disappointing performance at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
That's what I felt a few weeks ago when I arrived at the Whistler Sliding Centre, nine months after my disappointing performance at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
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About the Authors
- Mellisa Hollingsworth A self-described "country girl" from Eckville, Alta., Hollingsworth, 30, carried her passion for rodeo over to skeleton, where she's become one of the most accomplished Canadians ever in the sport. Hollingsworth won the overall World Cup championship in 2006, and captured Olympic bronze in Italy that same year. Her quest for gold in Vancouver ended in a heartbreaking fifth-place finish, but Hollingsworth's honesty over the devastation of that result won her the respect of many Canadians, while her resiliency helped her clinch a second World Cup title at the end of the season.
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Recent Entries
- All it takes is a little trust
- I started sliding skeleton in 1995 in Calgary, Alberta, the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. In 1996 I took my first trip overseas and competed in my first World Cup, well then it was called "Ladies FIBT cup" but... Continue reading this post
- When I fell, my country picked me up
- With the one-year anniversary of the Vancouver/Whistler Olympic Games upon us, I've had many different thoughts and emotions about my journey and the unexpected heartbreaking outcome.When I got back to the athletes' village after my devastating fifth-place finish in skeleton,... Continue reading this post
- The magic of St. Moritz
- Every year when we arrive at the one-of-kind natural track in St. Moritz, Switzerland, I'm awestruck by the amount of work put into this masterpiece.The history is incredible too. St. Moritz is where our sport originated, and the current track... Continue reading this post