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'Lessons from Geese'
Jen Davidson, 29, is one of the top brakemen in the world. The Utah native has paired with driver Jean Racine for the past three seasons to form a powerful bobsled team. For more on Davidson and Racine see bobsledgirl.com. The two-time World Cup champions are in the process of training for the 2002 Salt Lake Games. Check out Davidson's diary on CNNSI.com as she prepares for the Games.
July 10, 2001
Reporters often ask Jean and I what makes us such a strong team who continually find a way to win races. That's not an easy question to answer. There is so much that goes into our sport that it is difficult to pinpoint any one factor. For several seasons our success was attributed to our equipment. As the top ranked U.S. team, we earned the right to use the best equipment the federation had to offer. At the time, the team only had a limited number of good sleds and fast runners available. When we won, everyone assumed it was because our equipment was better than that of our competitors. Then the entire women's team got sleds that were or equal quality and had access to fast runners. Jean and I were still successful, which knocked out the whole "equipment" theory. At times people have singled out one of us, thinking that we won only because Jean is an excellent driver (which she is) or that I just pushed so fast that all she had to do was hang on to the steering device to get us a win. When that happens it hurts both of our feelings because we realize that we're each 50 percent of the team and wouldn't be successful without the other half. Bobsled is a sport where traditionally only the driver is given credit and brakeman are traded in and out of a sled on a regular basis. I've been very lucky in my career to have only ridden with Jean. I have an equal voice in the decisions and take just as much credit for success and share just as much blame for mistakes as she does.
We've come to realize over the past year that the thing that makes us such a strong team is our friendship away from our sport. We're like sisters. We can finish each other's sentences, communicate without speaking, and laugh about nothing. It's almost creepy sometimes how in tune we are with each other. My weakness is her strength, and vice versa. We've shared injury, death, and relationship troubles. When things are good, I want to talk to her, and when things are not so good, I want to talk to her. We joke about being 85 years old in the nursing home in our rocking chairs still giving each other a hard time. When we bring that intensity to the ice, it makes us very difficult to beat. Jean found this handout at the reception desk at the training center last week and brought it back to the room for me. I'm not sure where it came from, but as I read it, I realized it summed things up rather appropriately for us. I think if more people paid attention to "Lessons from Geese" the world would be a much better place.
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Fact 3: When the lead goose tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Fact 4: The gees flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock. 213 Days to Go. Catch the speed! -- JEN
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