The IBSF made adjustments to the calendar due to travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and to protect the health of athletes and organizers. The safety of athletes, coaches, and staff are USABS’ top priority. In order to minimize travel, reduce quarantine periods, and provide the safest environment possible, the U.S. team will not be competing in Europe for the first half of the season.

The season is expected to kick off for the U.S. team on Nov. 1 in Lake Placid, which was originally scheduled to be the host site of the 2021 World Championships. The IBSF moved the 2021 World Championships to Altenberg, Germany, and Lake Placid will now host in the lead-up to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in 2025. 

“We are taking every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of our athletes, coaches, and staff members, which means we will not be traveling to Europe for at least the first half of the season,” said USABS CEO Aron McGuire. “We will be utilizing our home tracks to reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19. We are fortunate to have two world class facilities in our country that we can train and compete on this season.”

The tentative USABS team trials schedule is as follows, with times to be announced at a later date:

¯ November 2-18: Training in Lake Placid

¯ November 19: Women’s, two-man bobsled, and skeleton trials race #1 in Lake Placid

¯ November 20: Women’s bobsled and skeleton trials race #2, and four-man bobsled race #1 in Lake Placid

¯ November 21-28: Thanksgiving break

¯ November 30-December 12: Training in Park City

¯ December 13: Women’s bobsled trials race #3 in Park City

¯ December 14: Two-man bobsled race #2, skeleton race #3, and women’s bobsled trials race #4 in Park City

¯ December 15: Four-man bobsled race #2, skeleton trials race #4, and women’s monobob exhibition race in Park City

¯ December 16: USABS National Team named