Through the eyes of Team USA Bobsled Pilot — Hunter Church – the track has almost always been home. “Growing up in the area, growing up learning on the Lake Placid track which is considered one of the hardest in the world, and now being on the cusp of qualifying for my first Olympic team is pretty big,” Church said.Growing up in Cadyville, Lake Placid’s Olympic culture influenced Church’s work ethic, however, bobsled, is in his blood. “I am actually a third-generation slider. My great uncles competed pre and post world war two. My dad competed in the late 70s and early 80s,” Church said.Passing the torch was not a set track for the Churchs.“We relocated from Anchorage, Alaska, to Upstate New York when I was about 7 years old. My dad brought me up to Mount Van Hovenberg to try out the sport of bobsled something that had left a significant impact on him and his family. Little did he know that he would throw me down the hill and I’d be hooked for the rest of my life,” Church said.Despite carrying a family legacy heading into the Olympic season, “I don’t feel any pressure. Quite honestly, I’m honored to represent my family on the international stage, as a third-generation slider … I am one of our top-ranked pilots, but it’s about putting everything that I have learned over these past eight years. Really just pushing forward and representing our country the best that I can,” Church said.Although Church doesn’t feel pressured, he knows how much is at stake.“It would accomplish a childhood dream. It would close out a family legacy of becoming the first ‘Church’ to qualify for an Olympic games. Of course, it would be an opportunity for me to represent my country in a way that I never thought possible,” Church said.A pilot leading pushing his country forward, while bringing his family’s name along for the ride.
Through the eyes of Team USA Bobsled Pilot — Hunter Church – the track has almost always been home.
“Growing up in the area, growing up learning on the Lake Placid track which is considered one of the hardest in the world, and now being on the cusp of qualifying for my first Olympic team is pretty big,” Church said.
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Growing up in Cadyville, Lake Placid’s Olympic culture influenced Church’s work ethic, however, bobsled, is in his blood.
“I am actually a third-generation slider. My great uncles competed pre and post world war two. My dad competed in the late 70s and early 80s,” Church said.
Passing the torch was not a set track for the Churchs.
“We relocated from Anchorage, Alaska, to Upstate New York when I was about 7 years old. My dad brought me up to Mount Van Hovenberg to try out the sport of bobsled something that had left a significant impact on him and his family. Little did he know that he would throw me down the hill and I’d be hooked for the rest of my life,” Church said.
Despite carrying a family legacy heading into the Olympic season, “I don’t feel any pressure. Quite honestly, I’m honored to represent my family on the international stage, as a third-generation slider … I am one of our top-ranked pilots, but it’s about putting everything that I have learned over these past eight years. Really just pushing forward and representing our country the best that I can,” Church said.
Although Church doesn’t feel pressured, he knows how much is at stake.
“It would accomplish a childhood dream. It would close out a family legacy of becoming the first ‘Church’ to qualify for an Olympic games. Of course, it would be an opportunity for me to represent my country in a way that I never thought possible,” Church said.
A pilot leading pushing his country forward, while bringing his family’s name along for the ride.
