The Square Life

Last summer Chris Fogt was approached by U.S. Bobsled Team recruiters at a BYU track meet. It was, no doubt, Fogt’s speed that attracted the recruiters, as the UVU graduate has set several track records, including the 100 meter sprint. Now Fogt, a pusher, is one of the top three sprinters for the team, while being one of their youngest members at age 25. Also a military man, he is currently finishing up Officer’s Training in the Army and getting ready for National Team Tryouts. He plans to train with the Army’s World Class Athlete Program for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

SQ: What was your reaction when approached at the track meet by the recruiters?

CF: I didn’t really believe them. I just laughed about it. I thought, “Bobsledding? What?” But after talking to them for a while, I thought, “Ok, whatever. I’ll try out.”

SQ: You made the tryouts, but you almost didn’t join the team because of ROTC training. What made you change your mind?

CF: Yeah, last summer I spent the first half doing summer sales and the second half at a military camp, so I was pretty busy. But the recruiter kept calling. Finally, I let him talk me into it. I’ve always loved competitive running, but I knew that my chances of participating on an Olympic track team were pretty slim. Besides, I thought pushing was fun. I grew to really like it.

SQ: What was your first run like?

CF: Well, Lake Placid is one of the roughest courses. It’s got 18 curves. It was a lot rougher than I thought it would be. The driver’s d-ring came loose so we were all over the place. Halfway down I wanted to jump out. It was nighttime, so when I stuck my head out, all I saw were lights speeding by at 80 mph. At that point I decided I was probably safer in the Sled.

SQ: Describe your worst crash.

CF: I’ve actually only crashed once—in Park City. We turned upside down. It burns sliding across snow. You hear of guys getting ice burns all across their back. It actually wasn’t that bad for me because I kicked out from the sled, so I was sliding on the heels of my feet and my helmet.

SQ: Do you have any rituals you do before a run? Like, “Feel the rhythm?”

CF: (Laughs.) No, because we practice a cadence like in Football. It’s like:
“Back.” “Set!”
“Front.” “Set!”
And I don’t have a lucky egg or anything like that. (Laughs.)

SQ: So have you already been accepted into the Army’s World Class Athletic Program?

CF: No, I’m going out to Calgary, Canada, August 31st for National Team Tryouts—that’s actually where they filmed Cool Runnings. Then I’ll be heading to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and then to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, to finish my Officer’s Training. But I’ll start training (with the AWCAP) for the 2010 Winter Olympics in February/March.

SQ: Do you have life insurance?

CF: (Laughs.) Yes, because I’m in the Military. I opted for full payout.