The US Olympic Bobsled and Skeleton Team
The USA Bobsled and Skeleton team (USABS) relies on professional-grade two-way radio equipment to optimize racing times and help protect athletes from serious injury. That’s why the team turned to RCA Communications Systems as its official two-way radio sponsor while preparing for the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The United States has a long history in bobsled and skeleton, with athletes earning Olympic medals across generations.
Behind the athletes, coaches, medical professionals, trainers, and support staff all work toward the same goal: competing on the Olympic world stage.
That focus on excellence runs throughout USABS’s headquarters in Lake Placid, NY. It also led the team to Discount Two-Way Radio, a distributor of RCA two-way radios, for help with its communication needs.
The Challenge
Radios for Extreme Conditions and Situations
Bobsled and skeleton offer thrilling racing, but high speeds, sharp turns, and icy tracks create serious risks for athletes. Coaches, trainers, medical personnel, and athletes need immediate two-way communication with clear sound quality. Every second counts when monitoring a practice run, improving performance, or responding to a crash.
USABS approached RCA Communications Systems to find a two-way radio solution that could meet several important objectives:
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Provide clear communication among multiple people and groups.
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Support communication with emergency services personnel during a major incident.
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Operate reliably in demanding winter conditions, from snowstorms to freezing rain.
“Our choice in two-way radios had to be chosen very carefully and we had to make sure we picked the correct equipment to get the job done,” said Michael Dionne, Coach and Director of Athlete Development for USABS.
“Having a partner like RCA Communications Systems to help us make the right choice in equipment has made a huge impact on the overall effort to bring home the gold.”
The Solution
When Lenny Kasten, USABS Team General Manager, and Coach Michael Dionne reached out to RCA Communications Systems, its technology experts recommended the RPX4500 and RPX4600 radio series.
The RCA RPX4500/RPX4600 handheld digital radios offered P25 communication capabilities and durability features for demanding environments. Their design addressed the team’s need for reliable communication during training and competition.
“In terms of quality, these are the best radios we’ve ever had. I’ve been on the US team doing this for more than 20 years, and so I can tell you they are the best we’ve ever had. We use them all over the world, and no matter where we go, they work perfectly. Want to know something else? They are better radios than any other nations have! When you compare them with the German radios, Italian radios, there’s no comparison. We use them in Europe, Asia, you name it, they work everywhere. Plus, Discount Two Way Radios even programmed them for us and everything,” said Kasten.
Helping Keep Athletes Safer
“Whenever there is a crash, I rely on the RCA RPX4600 radios to gain additional information immediately. The coaches are typically down lower in the track and can help me find athletes if they are ejected from the sled and if they are walking after the crash. Crashes are a very stressful time and having the additional information ensures that I can find, evaluate and ensure the best care for each athlete. I will also relay information back to the coaches and crew chief so they can start working on fixes or replacements before the athletes arrive back to the start. Without the use of our radios, this process would be chaotic and would result in poor management of many situations,” said Andrew Ernst, Athletic Trainer for the team.
A Special Donation from RCA Communications Systems
RCA Communications Systems helped USABS find a radio system to meet the team’s needs, then offered to donate the entire collection of radios and accessories to support the athletes.
“Unlike most nations, the United States government does not fund the US Olympic Movement. Every single athlete is 100 percent self-supported. It’s not about seeking fame and fortune for these people. Some of the athletes have slept in their cars for the opportunity to train at an Olympic Training Center. They have one goal—to be the best in the world—and they pursue that goal with every subatomic particle of their being, wearing USA on their backs. That's a journey that inspired us at RCA Communications Systems, because we too understand about being the best by doing our best. We are the leaders of the digital two-way radio world, so we wanted to help them with their communications needs. It was that simple,” said Ben Burns, CEO and Founder of RCA Communications Systems.
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