To see sponsored ads, please enable JavaScript. SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 28, 2026) - USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS) today announced a partnership with 47G, Albany Engineered Composites, Hexcel and Nammo Composite Solutions that brings aerospace and defense composite technology to American bobsled athletes. The partnership was announced at 47G’s annual Zero Gravity Summit, held as part of Hard Tech Week in Salt Lake City. In these sports, hundredths and sometimes thousandths of a second separate the podium from the rest of the field, and few sports depend more on equipment. The weight, strength, aerodynamics and design of a sled shape every run. Through this partnership, USABS athletes gain access to the same advanced materials and engineering expertise that companies use to build aircraft, missiles and unmanned systems for some of the world’s most demanding environments. “Our athletes give everything they have to find those hundredths of a second, and they deserve equipment that matches their commitment,” said Aron McGuire, CEO of USA Bobsled/Skeleton. “These partnerships connect our team with world-class engineers and manufacturers right here in Utah. It gives our athletes a real competitive edge as we build toward competing for medals on home ice in 2034.” Each partner plays a defined role in the effort. Albany Engineered Composites will work with USABS to manufacture next-generation composite sled cowlings for the team’s four-man bobsleds, while Nammo will manufacture carbon-fiber cowlings for the two-man bobsleds. Hexcel is contributing its expertise in advanced composite materials. 47G, Utah’s organization for deep tech, aerospace, and defense companies, brought the partners together. “Advanced composite technology has helped transform aerospace by enabling engineers to design components that are strong, lightweight, and capable of performing in some of the most demanding environments,” said Jeff Daniel, vice president, commercial segment at Albany Engineered Composites. “Bringing that expertise to bobsled creates an exciting opportunity to apply what we have learned in aerospace to a completely different performance challenge. We are proud to work alongside USA Bobsled/Skeleton to develop technology that can support their athletes on the road to 2034 and beyond.” The partnership strengthens the connection between USABS and the state that will host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. USABS athletes already train and compete at Utah Olympic Park in Park City. Now the companies that will help build their sleds operate in the same state, giving athletes, coaches and engineers the chance to collaborate closely as the team prepares to race on home ice. “Every detail of the sled matters when you are pushing at the start and steering down the track,” said Kaysha Love, a two-time USA Bobsled Olympian and the 2025 Women’s Monobob World Champion. “Knowing that some of the best engineers in aerospace are working on our equipment gives us confidence. We get to focus on what we do best while they help us go faster.” “Partnerships like this are a great reminder that innovation can come from unexpected places,” said Lyndon Smith, President, Americas & Global Fibers at Hexcel. “The same advanced materials and technical expertise that support aerospace and defense can open new possibilities in elite sport. We’re excited to work alongside USA Bobsled/Skeleton and our industry partners to see what we can accomplish together.” For 47G, the partnership shows how Utah’s Olympic legacy can extend beyond hosting world-class competition to the technology that helps athletes win. “Utah has spent decades building an ecosystem where advanced manufacturing, aerospace, research and entrepreneurship intersect,” said Aaron Starks, president and CEO of 47G. “As we look toward 2034, we have an opportunity not only to host the world’s best athletes, but also to showcase the technologies, companies and talent helping shape the future of performance and innovation.” USA Bobsled/Skeleton is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton racing in the United States. Based in Lake Placid, NY, USA Bobsled/Skeleton oversees the development and training of American athletes at all levels of competition. For more information, visit USABS.com or follow @USABS on Instagram, USA Bobsled/Skeleton on Facebook, and @usabobsledskeleton on TikTok. 47G is the nation’s fastest-growing organization for deeptech and aerospace and defense companies. Representing more than 230 members, 47G is building a nationally recognized ecosystem that accelerates the development and deployment of next-generation technologies. Learn more at 47G.org. Albany Engineered Composites, a segment of Albany International Corp. (NYSE: AIN), designs and manufactures advanced engineered composite components for demanding applications in commercial and military aircraft, missiles and unmanned vehicles. Albany Engineered Composites combines advanced materials, engineering and manufacturing expertise to develop solutions for some of the world’s most demanding applications. Hexcel Corporation is a global leader in advanced lightweight composites technology. We provide innovative, high-performance material solutions that are lighter, stronger, and tougher, shaping a world that moves farther, smarter, and more efficiently. Our broad and unrivaled product range includes carbon fiber, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, resins, engineered core, and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, defense and space, and industrial applications. Nammo Composite Solutions (NCS) is part of Nammo, an international aerospace and defense company headquartered in Raufoss, Norway. With more than 4,000 employees, 27 production sites, and a presence in 12 allied countries, Nammo is one of the world’s leading providers of specialty ammunition, shoulder-fired systems, and rocket motors. NCS applies that same manufacturing discipline to advanced composite structures for aerospace and defense applications.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.usabs.com