Utah Olympic Park Bobsled Helmet Cam Footage

Check out this video taken from a helmet cam on the Comet Bobsled ride.

VIDEO: FLY Freestyle at UOP

Park City Television’s Jen Hardman teams up with the FLY Freestyle team to learn the basics of aerials at the Utah Olympic Park.

Final summer rush in Park City

The following is an excerpt from an article posted at abc4.com:

Labor day weekend is almost here, the unofficial end to summer celebrations. In Park City, time is running out before the city starts to transition from Summer into Winter. But before that, here are some ideas of last minute fun.

First stop – Utah Olympic Park. During Labor day weekend, they have several “end of season” shows. Flying Ace All stars will perform their final show for the summer at 1:00 pm. That will be followed by Huck Fest ’10. Freeriders, Aerialst and Moguls Skiers coming together to Huck! For more info call 435.658.4200

Click here to read the entire article.

David Dinger, UOP Track Manager, Passes Away at 45

The Utah Olympic Park and the bobsled, skeleton and luge community have lost a valuable member of its family on August 25 when David Dinger, age 45, passed away at his home in Park City after battling renal cell carcinoma since last October.

Dinger, a devoted father to Jack, 13 and Joe, 10, always had an interest in international sports and was a great advocate of sport. He engaged to the fullest by participating as well as being a spectator. He became a fan of Indy Car Racing at age 12. The one word that is consistently used when it comes to Dinger is “passion.” His enthusiasm for life was inspiring and infectious. He loved to learn and loved to share.

His passion for skiing prompted him to move from California to Park City in 1992. He worked winters as Ski Patrol at Park City Mountain Resort and summers at Park Meadows Country Club. Attending “Greens-keeper School” to learn the science of irrigation would later prove to be instrumental in his knowledge of icing the track.

He became involved in sliding sports after receiving a Learn-to-Luge clinic for a birthday gift in December 2001. He immediately got hooked on the sport of luge which lead to his interest in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. He landed a job working on the track and was positioned at “curve 12” for the duration of sliding events. Soon after the Games, he applied for the Track Manager position and was accepted based on his experience that included his career in Public Relations while he lived in California. He dedicated himself to sliding sports, gaining a reputation worldwide of being an “Icemeister” and setting the bar for other tracks around the world.

“David has been our inspirational leader of the Olympic Park track. He had a special ability to bring out the best in his staff, the athletes, and a family of international officials who admired and respected his vision and leadership. It will be an honor and privilege for us to continue operating the track and developing athletes in a way that David worked so hard to see happen,” said Colin Hilton, President of Utah Athletic Foundation.

Respected by his team on the UOP track, athletes around the world and all those in the sport community, Dinger was recognized as a leader in the development of the bobsled, skeleton and luge sports. track. RJ Shannon of UOP said, “Dave was set apart by his passion for athletes. His legacy is yet to be fully realized as it lives on in the hopes and dreams of the athletes he touched.”

The camaraderie on the track, which Dinger considered his second home, was that of close family and friends. Carl Reopke, fellow luge slider and “voice of the track”, finally remembers David routinely saying “See you at the bottom”.

His remarkable journey to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games where he worked on the track, was inspiring and prompted international media interest. In an interview with CTV while in Vancouver, Dinger said he was concerned about being able to perform, but when he arrived at the track, he thought that maybe it was the excitement that made him feel his old self. After the Gold Medal victory of the USA 4-Man Bobsled Team, bobsled pilot, Steve Holcomb said, “David, this medal is as much yours as it is mine. Night Train would not be what it is today without you”.

David worked tirelessly, in health and during his battle with cancer, to promote the sliding track sports at Utah Olympic Park as a facility where sliding enthusiasts and serious competitors alike could feed their passion for these sports. He had requested before his death that donations be taken in his name to fulfill the purpose and mission stated above, and specifically to purchase much needed equipment so the track and the sliding sports could continue to grow.

The David Dinger Developmental Sliding Foundation, found at http://www.DavidDingerFoundation.org, was formed shortly after David’s death as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Foundation’s purpose is to encourage and promote the winter sliding sports of bobsled, skeleton and luge at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah though education, outreach and equipment. The Foundation will focus initially on purchasing equipment to support participation in the sports and training by Olympians. All donations are tax deductible.

His courage, strength and will was an example to all. His warm smile and friendship will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the David Dinger Developmental Sliding Foundation at http://www.DavidDingerFoundation.org.

Photos: Warren “Kingpin” Allen

On Friday we posted a tribute to our friend, Warren Allen. We also wanted to post these pictures. Additionally, we’d like to remind everyone about the memorial service for Warren is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Utah Olympic Park. The public is invited Please RSVP to Connie Nelson, executive director of the Alf Engen Ski Museum, at connie.nelson@olyparks.com.

Warren “Kingpin” Allen

We are saddened to announce the death of Warren Allen, a friend and colleague who lost a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday June 30, 2010.

Many in the Park City community knew Warren through his job at Utah Olympic Park where he worked for years as a park host and tour guide. To his Olympic Park family, Warren was a valued member of his department’s operations, performing numerous functions to assure the facility functioned smoothly and guests enjoyed a memorable experience.

Warren loved all sports, especially snow sports. He spent many of his younger years skiing and socializing with various originators of the freestyle discipline. His knowledge of winter Olympic Games history and belief in the Olympic Creed were impressive.

Bowling was a life-long passion for Warren. He bowled in his first tournament in 1969 and competed on the professional tour for several years. His talent on the lanes was exemplified by his bowling back-to-back perfect games – one with his right hand and one with his left.

Warren was a gentleman, historian, handyman, patriot, athlete, comedian and friend. His legacy will be marked by his encyclopedic knowledge on numerous topics, his silly jokes and zany dance steps, and most of all his unwavering dedication to his family and friends.

A memorial service for Warren is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Utah Olympic Park. The public is invited Please RSVP to Connie Nelson, executive director of the Alf Engen Ski Museum, at connie.nelson@olyparks.com.

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” — The Olympic Creed

Derek Parra, 2002 Gold and Silver Olympic Medalist, Joins the UAF Team

The Utah Athletic Foundation announced Wednesday, July 21, 2010 that Derek Parra, 2002 Gold and Silver Olympic Medalist in speed skating will be joining Utah’s Olympic Legacy Foundation as its new Outreach Director for Youth Sports Programs. Parra will play a vital community role in helping Utah’s youth connect with winter sports programs offered at Utah Olympic Oval and Utah Olympic Park. He will also oversee the Utah Olympic Oval’s speed skating programs, ensuring a dynamic series of age-appropriate athlete development programs on the “World’s Fastest Ice!”

Parra has assisted in the development of the organizations Olympic legacy efforts and goals while serving as a Board member of the Utah Athletic Foundation since 2007. And, as a member of the organization’s Sports Development Committee, he contributed his knowledge as an athlete and a coach. Parra said, “As a board member for the past three years, I have been fortunate to witness the Utah Athletic Foundation’s passion and commitment for youth sports in Utah. I am excited about this opportunity because it blends kids, sports and Utah, all of which I love. I am looking forward to working with kids and helping them in the process of not only being a champion in sport, but a champion in life”.

As one of the finest speed skating coaches in the world, Parra will bring a level of expertise to the beginner level programs never seen before in the United States. He will also use his unique expertise and community minded perspectives to further encourage Utah’s youth to engage in winter sport and physical activity.

Colin Hilton, Utah Athletic Foundation CEO, said, “Our Olympic legacy organization is very fortunate to have such a talented and respected individual lend his efforts towards the development of our young athletes. We look forward to growing our youth speed skating programs and expanding participation in all our unique winter sport program offerings. Derek is a perfect fit to help us spread the message about Utah’s Living Olympic Legacy and our efforts to promote winter sports in the State of Utah.”

Marc Norman, Utah Olympic Oval’s Director added that “Having one of the nations best coaches focus his efforts on our youth speed skating programs is very exciting. Derek will be involved in the day to day coaching and mentoring of beginner level participants bringing his skills to those he can impact most. This unique opportunity to work with a Gold Medal Olympian is not offered anywhere else in the United States. Parra will add a unique twist to coaching the youth of Utah, ensuring that their sport experiences are rewarding and fulfilling. His creative and innovative coaching techniques focus on kids having fun while promoting active and healthy lifestyles”.

Parra’s athletic successes include the 2002 Olympic Gold Medal in 1500 meters setting a new World Record and the 2002 Olympic Silver Medal in the 5000 meters setting a new American Record. His years of training and his coaching with the US Speed Skating team contribute to a wealth of experience and knowledge that he will bring to the Utah Athletic Foundation; not only in speed skating, but in overall sport and athlete development.

Nitro Jam Will Visit Utah Olympic Park June 17

Salt Lake Nitro Jam stars will visit Utah Olympic Park to race on a different kind of track, the bobsled track. After reaching speeds of around 70 mph and up to 4 G’s of force racing down in a bobsled, media and guests will have the opportunity to meet with the dragster racers and check out one of their cars up close.

These pros, along with all the drivers of the Nitro Jam series, come from all over the world. They drive the headlining cars and are the drivers of the Nitro Jam series in the quickest and fastest racing machines on earth.

This unique and exciting opportunity is open to the public and is free to guests. Racers are scheduled to be on the bobsled track at noon with complete media access at the start, finish dock and along the track (finish dock recommended for media). Dragster racers will then be in the Utah Olympic Park Plaza alongside one of their cars for a short time for interviews and to meet with guests. For more information, please call (435) 658-4200.

Nitro Jam is owned and operated by Feld Entertainment which is the largest entertainment company in the world with acts such as Ringling Bros. Circus, Disney on Ice and Monster Jam. Nitro Jam recently announced a new partnership with the Utah Sports Commission for the upcoming Salt Lake Nitro Jam June 18-19 at Rocky Mountain Raceways.

The Friday and Saturday, June 18-19 event will start each day with Fan Fest at 5:30 pm followed by Nitro Jam at 7 pm. For more information about this event, please visit http://www.nitrojam.com or visit Rocky Mountain Raceways at http://www.rmracing.com for ticket information.

Photos From The 4th Annual Utah Olympic Park Hill Climb

From BicycleTouringPro.com:

The Park City Hill Climb is an annual event where runners race up a steep and windy 5K course that leads from the Kimball Junction area of Park City to the very top of the Utah Olympic Park. In the process, the participating runners gain nearly 1,000 feet in elevation. The following are some of my photos from this year’s event, which took place on Saturday, May 29th, 2010 (Click here to view all the pictures).

The Ski Channel rolls out mountain biking, skiing, and Utah Olympic Park in new batch of programming

The following is an excerpt from a post at TheSkiChannel.com:

The Ski Channel is going on a series of adventures in its latest batch of programming that will be released this Sunday, April 25. From mountain biking in Utah to skiing in Austria, you will be taken on several twists and turns throughout these six new titles. In addition, “With Rhyme and Reason,” an original production chronicling ex-racer Bryon Friedman, will also be joining those shows. Keep reading below to get a background on them, and make sure to turn on your VOD this Sunday and head over to The Ski Channel to enjoy them all!

XTERRA Utah 2:
The XTERRA Winter World Championship is quite an adventure throughout the state of Utah. In this show, which is the inaugural race, competitors will be mountain biking, snowshoeing, running, and randonnee at Snowbasin Resort. Then, they’ll be off to Utah Olympic Park in Park City to wakesurf and enjoy the same training facility that the best athletes in the country use.

Click here to read about all the new shows.