DansDeals Forum > Just Shmooze
BobTeam Edelman / 2026 Olympics thread
hgeek23:
See above wiki
MMndl613:
You are entirely self-funding this team?! Have you tried the Jewish sports team owners?
And donations/sponsorships are tax deductible? Why raffle your ring? Honestly I would think it's the one thing I wouldn't sell. :o
How many Starwood points would @Dan have to bid to win the ring outright?
hgeek23:
--- Quote ---You are entirely self-funding this team?! Have you tried the Jewish sports team owners?
--- End quote ---
Yes. Israel doesn't fund bobsled, they just don't have the budget for it. And yes as well to the team owners.
--- Quote ---And donations/sponsorships are tax deductible?
--- End quote ---
They are! We're a 501c3.
--- Quote ---Why raffle your ring? Honestly I would think it's the one thing I wouldn't sell. :o
--- End quote ---
If it can help raise enough interest to get this team get a bit more funding and closer to the goal, why worry about a piece of metal?
--- Quote ---How many Starwood points would @Dan have to bid to win the ring outright?
--- End quote ---
Haha. I'd think after the World Series @Dan has had enough sports experience to account for a couple of lifetimes that was pretty epic, but I'd be open to the ring landing in Cleveland ;D
hgeek23:
Captain’s Log--Oct. 21-22, 2022--On UA 1013 somewhere en route to LGA
AJ—BobTeam Edelman Pilot
New uniforms and more:
Today was a typical “that’s crazy” day for the team.
As some know, the bobsled team has started out on a rather difficult footing. Back in May we secured a commitment from an intended benefactor to cover the entirety of a 6-year long medal-development cycle for Israel bobsled. However, we were informed a month and a half ago that none of the commitment can be honored. To save the team I am covering them with savings and borrowing, but it has also meant that logistically decisions have to be made far more “on the fly” as we need to chase ice-time in a bit of a piecemeal fashion.
Nonetheless, as Israelis it’s in our nature to keep pushing forward. The number one thing that will increase the Olympic qualification chances is actual time on ice. The only track in North America that stands to be in a position to open is Whistler, BC (Canada) on November 9th, which we planned to take advantage of with back-to-back training camps. The on-the-fly logistics and daily changes in plans are one of the things that make competing in Olympic sport for Israel both unique, sometimes lonely, and difficult (explained below.)
The primary source of effort the past 2 months (apart from figuring out how to save the team to begin with) has been visa and border-related, as one might expect during Covid-19. Our 3 superb Israeli push-athletes have never been to the US before and obtaining a visa in a reasonable timeframe has been difficult, with a 3-month backlog on visa interviews. Thankfully eventually we were able to expedite the interviews and they should receive their visas shortly.
The issue of travel, however, is still complicated to other countries. There is currently a border restriction between the US and Canada (since March,) but there are exceptions granted including for commerce and services critical that can be performed only in Canada (i.e. non-discretionary.) The issue of whether we are discretionary/non-discretionary would disallow/allow us to enter Canada, and by extension begin the very critical training we need.
After weeks of back and forth with Canada’s Border Information Service that indicated we shouldn’t have a problem getting an exemption crossing the border (as the coach we'd have at the camp is Canadian and this is our only job with a necessity that it’s performed in Canada,) Chance King Doyle (one of the breakmen) and I flew into Glacier Park International Airport and drove north to the Coutts Border Crossing. From there we planned to quarantine in Calgary for 2 weeks, meet up with the coach, and drive to Whistler for our training in November.
The drive is usually a 3 hour scenic route through mountains and the Blackfoot Nation, but was slowed to about 6 hours as there were blizzard conditions.
Unfortunately, we were turned away at the border, as the agents did not wish to “open the floodgates” for athletes entering during restrictions. Completely understandable yet disappointing.
It’s one of the kinds of episodes that makes the journey of representing Israel in Olympic sport somewhat unique and at points exhausting and lonely. From coordinating visas to attempting to cross the border and present a case for exemption, it’s on Israeli athletes in the sliding sport to manage the process themselves. Logistics are very difficult in sliding sport, and plans almost often change day to day. As a sample timeline:
Last Wednesday:
--Decision made to attend the camps in Whistler beginning Nov 9.
--Expedite the visa interview process with the athletes in Israel.
Thursday-Monday: Call Canada Border Services Agencies and Public Health Services to go over our case
Monday:
--decide to head to Canada on Wednesday—head to Boston from NYC to collect things.
--Lay out a 2-week quarantine plan including grocery delivery—the quarantine is absolute, you are not allowed to leave your room nor have interaction with others.
--Visa interview takes place in Israel—visa will be granted, make plans for arrival in November/December of the athletes.
--Sponsorship pitch calls
Tuesday:
--Pack
--Covid and antigen tests for the athletes.
--Book flights and rental cars for Kalispell, MT next day
Wednesday:
--Fly into FCA, meet Chance, drive to the border
--turned away provisionally pending letter from Public Health Authority granting us exemption
--10p, find lodging near the border
Thursday:
--Head to the border at 7a, formally turned away at 10a
--race back to FCA airport, book flights on the way to MSY (Chance lives in Louisiana,) and LGA (a last ditch effort to head to the Canadian consulate and plead my case for a national exemption letter.) Without this exemption letter, we will wait for Lake Placid to hopefully open up at some point, though there is no clear date as of yet.
--2.30—fly out
--on flight—continue sponsorship pitches
We will remain strong and continue to do everything in our power to see through that Israel has a successful Olympic run. Until the next log!
AJ and BobTeam Edelman
MMndl613:
Would have loved to see you up in Canada.
Those are some killer looking unis! Would you sell them like NBA jerseys etc? Would love to get one.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version