Like the Jamaican bobsled team of "Cool Runnins" fame, St. John resident Troy Billington hopes to represent the Virgin Islands in another uncharacteristic Caribbean sport, skeleton, at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
"Skeleton is similar to the Luge," Billington said, "the difference being you compete face down one inch from the ice—plus it's more dangerous."
Billington, 28, originally from Chicago, has called the Virgin Islands home for the past seven years. The onetime resident of St. Croix has lived on St. John since 1998.
" I love St. John, and its people, and it is for them that I will be competing in this race,'" Billington said earlier this month before leaving for Utah to begin qualifying competitions for the Olympics.
Skeleton originated in 1892 when an Englishman built a new metal sled whose skeletal shape became its namesake. The sport debuted at the 1928 Olympics but has been absent from Olympic competition since 1948.
Skeleton uses the same track and start as the bobsled. However, skeleton athletes ride down the one mile track at 80 miles per hour headfirst on their sled. Often their chins and face are one inch from the ice.
The keys to the skeleton race are the push and the athlete's driving technique. There is no steering device on a skeleton sled; instead racers use their shoulders and at times feet to guide and steer.
Billington at one time was a bobsledder but switched to the skeleton and is on the mainland undergoing qualifying competition and seeking sponsorship.
"So far I have two potential major sponsors: Black Enterprise Magazine and Black Entertainment Television (BET)," he said. St. John sponsors have also pitched in for his air transportation and accommodations this month.
According to Hans Laewetz, V.I. Olmpic Committee Chairman, "It is a very expensive sport, and atheletes have to qualify at limited tracks worldwide." A skeleton sled and equipment can cost upwards of $5,000.
Billington intends to spend at least six weeks competing in a World Cup Tour in order to gain points to be eligible for the Olympics.
Billington was a director of youth sports programs on St. Croix. Since relocating to St. John he has been in charge of an after-school recreational program at Guy Benjamin School and as a recreational counselor in a summer day-camp program.
"I love sports and the thrill of competition and when it's one man against the elements the challenge is more exciting," Billington said.
