Honda to support USA Bobsled Skeleton through 2030 in engineering-driven alliance

Honda improving sled speeds with USA Bobsled/Skeleton. Photo: Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO)

PARK CITY, Utah — USA Bobsled Skeleton (USABS) announced on Wednesday a multi-year Official Premier Technology and Official Automotive Partnership with American Honda, strengthening support for the organization’s world-class athletes through 2030. 

The Park City track, used in the 2002 Olympics and slated to be used in the 2034 Olympics, is one of only two venues in the United States; the other is located in Lake Placid, New York.

Acura’s premium performance division will serve as the lead automotive brand associated with the partnership. They draw upon a legacy of Honda engineering. USABS sleds will feature Acura branding to highlight the shared commitment. 

“A skeleton athlete’s head, shoulders, arms, and leg positions are all imperative to aero and performance. Time at Honda’s HALO wind tunnel will provide valuable feedback to our athletes about their sliding positions to allow them to optimize their results,” Matt Antoine, Head Coach of the USA Skeleton Team, said in the statement. He won the bronze medal at the 2014 Olympics.

Through this partnership, Honda R&D engineers based at the Honda Auto Development Center in Ohio will focus on technical integration and data analysis, while striving to maximize aerodynamics, engineering optimization, and athlete-sled synergy.

“This partnership with Honda marks an exciting moment for USA Bobsled/Skeleton,” Aron McGuire, CEO of USABS, said in part in a statement. “Bringing together the precision, performance, and innovation of Honda’s U.S.-based engineering teams with the athletic excellence of our bobsled and skeleton athletes will give the USA team a distinct edge on the world stage.”

Initial testing is already underway at the Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO), a state-of-the-art aeroacoustic wind tunnel located in Ohio. Opened in 2022, HALO offers world-class aerodynamic capabilities and will be central to evaluating airflow dynamics, sled design, and athlete positioning. 

“We are proud to help the USA Bobsled and Skeleton athletes in their pursuit of gold,” Larry Geise, Executive Vice President of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA) said in part in the statement. “In sports where sleds can reach speeds of over 90 miles per hour and the difference between first and last can be measured in fractions of a second, our Honda engineers are eager to apply their engineering skills and racing background to the USABS programs.”

Honda will provide support at key international events, including World Cup and World Championships. Athletes will also work directly with Honda engineers at the HALO facility for aerodynamic impact on sled dynamics and make real-time adjustments.

“We are thrilled to welcome Honda to the USABS family, and we are grateful for the support of their U.S. engineers,” said Chris Fogt, Head Coach of the USA Bobsled Team said in the statement. “Honda is a known leader in the racing world. We are already seeing how Honda will apply its resources and technologies to advance the training and performance of USABS and can’t wait to see the results.” He also won his sport’s bronze medal in the 2014 Olympics.