The USA Bobsled and Skeleton teams earned a total of six medals at the Sochi 2014 Olympics with assistance from Hans deBot, a Charlotte engineer and president of deBotech Inc.
A native of North Carolina, deBot worked closely with the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF) to develop carbon fiber technology that was utilized in the fleet of two-man bobsleds, the ProtoStar V5 skeletons and the “Night Train 2” four-man bobsled.
The stronger, lighter carbon fiber components assisted Team USA in winning two silver and four bronze medals in the bobsled and skeleton events.
Earning two silver medals for the U.S. sliding team were Noelle Pikus-Pace in women’s skeleton, and Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams for women’s bobsled. Third-place medal winners were Matt Antoine in men’s skeleton; Steven Holcomb and Steve Langton for two-man bobsled; Holcomb, Langton, Curt Tomasevicz and Chris Fogt in four-man bobsled; and Jamie Greubel and Aja Evans in women’s bobsled.
deBotech’s carbon fiber technology was an integral part of the two-man bobsled team earning a bronze and bringing home the U.S. team’s first medal in the two-man bobsled event in 62 years.
“It was exciting to watch Team USA take the medal podium and make history,” said deBot. “Knowing that our carbon fiber parts and composites likely played a role in the outcome of events where speed is the name of the game is amazing.”
deBot partnered with former NASCAR driver and bobsled builder Geoff Bodine to build the “Night Train 2” four-man bobsled.
The North Carolina State University graduate also formed a strategic alliance with BMW North America to design and develop the fleet of carbon fiber bobsleds for the two-man bobsled competition for both the men and women’s teams.
In addition, deBotech also developed a special sit-ski seat for 2014 U.S. Paralympic team member Alana Nichols. Nichols will use the seat to compete in the alpine skiing competition in the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games which takes place March 3 -7.
From the humble beginnings of deBot’s garage in 1997, deBotech Inc. has become the go-to solution for the development of carbon fiber parts for the U.S. bobsled team, NASCAR, military and aerospace customers.