USA Bobsled & Skeleton is partnering with Utah aerospace manufacturers to develop new sled components ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics, connecting the effort to athletes who train at Utah Olympic Park in Park City.
The national governing body announced the partnership Oct. 28 at the Zero Gravity Summit, held during Hard Tech Week in Salt Lake City.
The agreement brings together Albany Engineered Composites, Hexcel and Nammo Composite Solutions. Utah nonprofit 47G, which represents aerospace, defense and technology companies, helped organize the collaboration.
Each company has a defined role. Albany Engineered Composites will manufacture composite cowlings, the outer shells of sleds, for the team's four-man bobsleds.
Nammo Composite Solutions will produce carbon-fiber cowlings for two-man sleds. Hexcel will contribute expertise in advanced composite materials.
Aerospace technology meets Olympic competition
Bobsled races are often decided by hundredths of a second, making sled weight, strength and aerodynamics important to performance.
The companies involved produce composite materials and components used in aircraft, missiles and unmanned systems. Such materials combine strength and durability with relatively low weight.
Jeff Daniel, vice president of the commercial segment at Albany Engineered Composites, said the project allows the company to apply its aerospace experience to a different engineering challenge.
The partnership also connects Utah's manufacturing industry with athletes preparing to compete on home ice during the 2034 Winter Olympics.
USA Bobsled & Skeleton athletes already train and compete at Utah Olympic Park. Having the manufacturers in the same state creates opportunities for athletes, coaches and engineers to collaborate during equipment development.
Athletes look toward 2034
Kaysha Love, a two-time U.S. bobsled Olympian and the 2025 women's monobob world champion, said equipment design matters during both the starting push and the descent.
"Every detail of the sled matters when you are pushing at the start and steering down the track," Love said in the organization's announcement.
Aron McGuire, CEO of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, said the agreements connect the national team with Utah engineering and manufacturing specialists as preparations continue for the 2034 Games.
The partnership was also announced by Albany Engineered Composites, which described the effort as extending beyond the 2034 Olympics.
Selection races return to Park City
The 2026-27 USA Bobsled & Skeleton selection races are scheduled for Nov. 10 and 11 at Utah Olympic Park, according to the organization's social media announcement.
Racing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Mountain time each day, with the results helping determine the athletes selected for international competition this season.
The selection races provide another opportunity to see the national program in Park City as work begins on equipment intended for future Olympic competition.
