Down By Two

(A post from Blackout – Don)

Last Saturday came as a surprise to both Jeremy and I. We were unaware there was going to be a bobsled race; therefore, didn’t do much to prepare for it. Sure we’ve been at the track regularly, but practicing 4-man bobsled. The race was for 2-man sleds. Until Saturday morning, we hadn’t pulled out the 2-man in about a month and a half. That sled felt neglected (and it made sure we knew that).

We got to the track about an hour before the race to do a little maintenance. Most of the time was spent sanding runners. After about 45 min, the runners weren’t perfect, but they looked better.

Show time!

Once the sled was in position, Jeremy and I set ourselves and began the cadence: “Back. Set. Ready…”

Since I don’t see much in the back, I have to recall the trip down the track by feeling. And once I felt turn four, I knew something wasn’t right; we were taping walls and dropping out of turns.

Sure enough, once we crossed the finish line Jeremy turned to me and said, “Something’s not right with the steering.” (Yeah, that would explain the ride.) And after the first heat, Team Holm was in fourth place.

After taking a couple minutes to adjust the steering, and getting back in the zone, we were back at the top of the track waiting for our second and final heat of the race. (If there were ever a time to get in the zone, this was it. We needed a really good push off, and you could tell that Jeremy was ready to pilot.

Again came the cadence: “Back. Set. Ready…” And we’re off! We definitely pushed harder; I also gave it a couple more steps before jumping in. (I think I kick Jeremy by accident during the load.)

This time it was a lot smoother, and I could feel Jeremy taking the bobsled to higher lines than before.

Given the condition of the track (I failed to mention it was raining that day and we were sliding on slush – not ice, which would be far more conducive to bobsledding) we were pleased with the run. But, we still needed to wait for one more bobsled before finding out if we medaled.

Sure enough, we made it! We came in third. I gotta hand it to Jeremy; he did a fabulous job getting us down the track safely the first time, and having a killer run the second time. Medaling with a non-responsive bobsled is pretty impressive.

Team Holm Joins Team Darfur

I know it has been a few days since I've posted on here, but this is an entry that I am humbled to share with you.

Last week I was approached by the Olympic gold-medallist Joey Cheek to join "Team Darfur." Team Darfur is an international coalition of elite athletes who have joined together to raise awareness about the tragedies that are occurring every single day in Darfur, Sudan and to help bring an end to the crisis.

As the team's website states:

A campaign leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Team Darfur aims to educate the global public through the unique voice of elite athletes. Team Darfur brings together the world's Olympic and professional athletes to put international pressure not only on Sudan, but also on those countries that support the policy of inaction in the face of this dire humanitarian crisis.

I think it is so easy at times to forget that while sure, we face growing gas prices and a sometimes shaky economy that we really do have it pretty good. We get so busy with the day to day aspects of our lives that we unintentionally become somewhat oblivious to the terrible circumstances found throughout the world.

The story of Darfur is a heart-breaking one. While it would take, perhaps, a full history class to explain the crisis in the Sudan, here is a brief synopsis of the situation taken from the Team Darfur website:

The current crisis in Darfur, a region of Western Sudan the size of Texas or France, began in 2003. After decades of neglect, drought, oppression and small-scale conflicts in Darfur, two rebel groups mounted a challenge to Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir. These groups represent agrarian farmers who are mostly non-Arab black African Muslims from a number of different tribes. President al-Bashir's response was brutal. In seeking to defeat the rebel movements, the Government of Sudan increased arms and support to local tribal and other militias, which have come to be known as the Janjaweed. Their members are composed mostly of Arab black African Muslims who herd cattle, camels, and other livestock. They have wiped out entire villages, destroyed food and water supplies, and systematically murdered, tortured, and raped hundreds of thousands of Darfurians. These attacks occur with the direct support of the Government of Sudan's armed forces.

As we sit comfortably in our offices or homes or view this blog from our cellphones, let me share some brief facts about Darfur:

- 400,000: the estimated number of people who have been killed to date because of the fighting.
- 2.5 Million: the number of people who have been forced out of their homes and into unsafe camps and make-shift temporary communities within Sudan.
- 200,000: the number of refugees who have fled to neighboring Chad to escape the violence.
- 1 Million: the number of people who are currently living in their homes, at risk of attacks from the Janjaweed and the army.

These facts are hard to ignore. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine what a life such as this would be like. But the truth is that millions of human beings in the Sudan suffer from fear, hunger, and thirst and pass each day in deplorable living situations.

I am not sharing this information to put a "damper on your day." No, I am only sharing facts. As a member of Team Darfur I am honored to join with the best athletes in the world in doing our part to end the suffering in the Sudan. It is not a political movement, it is a rescue effort.

If you would like to know more about what you can do to help the relief effort, I invite you to visit the Team Darfur website. There you will find photos, videos, and stories about those who struggle just to make it through the day in the Sudan.

I also invite you to sign the "Fan Pledge" in support of your country's athletes who have joined Team Darfur.

If you would like to donate to the cause, Team Darfur has several options to do so. Team Darfur is a 501c3 non-profit organization under the federal tax code. All donations to Team Darfur go to support the work of Team Darfur. Donations to Team Darfur will also soon provide on the ground relief in Darfur, Sudan. The relief programs Team Darfur will fundraise for are focused on youth sports and education. So you can donate directly to the team or you can purchase the special Team Darfur sweatbands and headbands to help raise funds for the effort. These bands can be purchased individually or in bulk and you can wear yours with pride as a supporter of both your Olympic athletes as well as a symbol of your personal efforts to make a difference in the lives of the people of the Sudan.

As a team, we are athletes are united in our efforts to make a difference in Darfur. We ask you to join us in this movement as we strive to bring about an end to the crisis and provide relief to those in need.

Thank you your time.

-Jeremy Holm
Team Captain
Team Holm Racing
teamholmracing(a)hotmail.com