Yeah man! Jamaican bobsleigh qualifies for Sochi

[malaise]

http://blogs.canoe.ca/podium/olympics/yeah-man-jamaican-bobsleigh-qualifies-for-sochi/
BREAKING: Jamaica's 2 man Bobsled qualified for Winter Olympics in Sochi . CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Cool Runnings!!! :chuckle!!

[Blues Heron]

1. slide if ya want to slide!

cool runnings!

[sheshe2]

2. Jamaica Farewell~

Wishing you a win in Sochi!

[malaise]

11. Just participating is winning

That's all we're getting here

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Congrats!

[Brigid]

4. I have "Cool Runnings" on DVD around here somewhere.

[HipChick]

6. I really hate that movie..

Worst.JA.Accents ever...they could have got better actors..

[malaise]

9. Only if you really know Jamaican accents

We loved the movie.

[johnp3907]

5. If only John Candy had lived to see this.

[malaise]

7. The Toronto mayor will play the part this time

[HipChick]

16. LMAO!

[malaise]

19. He's a Candy look alike

[WinkyDink]

8. "mon" :-)

[malaise]

12. True

Yeh mon

[bvar22]

10. Congrats!

[malaise]

13. NOT if a medal is part of the plan

[Zorra]

14. I'll be rooting for ya even though I'm boycotting everything Sochi. nt

[malaise]

15. Ha - we aren't winning a medal

Just qualifying is good enough PR for Jamaica

[HipChick]

17. K&R

I just want to see them participate..

[raven mad]

34. It'd be neat if they gave out, like, "Rookie of the Year"

or "Meritorious Achievement". Because, by all that's good, a medal is deserved!! Just to have made the cut is awesome. I know, I'll give them the Eagle Summit award. (Eagle Summit is the toughest climb on the Quest; many teams quit right there - I honor the ones who don't.)

[Initech]

18. Congrats Jamaica!

[Cha]

20. Cool Runnings, Mon!

Congrats, malaise~

[aquart]

21. Congratulations!

[MineralMan]

22. Rolling a big spliff in their honor...

[KoKo]

23. Love It! Thanks!

[tavernier]

24. We rode the bobsled ride in Jamaica

on the same mountain where the original team practiced. There is also a small museum with the original uniforms and other paraphernalia. It is really worth a visit when in Jamaica.

[Blues Heron]

25. Olympic-man Vibration yeah!

Olympic-man Vibration yeah
Positive
Slide if you want to slide!
Positive ice-racin' Yeah!
irie-ice
Got to have a good time!

[spanone]

26. i've seen this movie before....bwahahahahahaaa

congrats

[kydo]

27. That is awesome!

[Cali_Democrat]

28. Cool!!! Congrats!!

[2naSalit]

29. !!!

[Warpy]

30. I know that first bobsled team all those years ago

shocked the hell out of everybody by how well they did until their shitty equipment broke.

They've had a number of years to analyze everything and I'm betting this team does well, too.

[raven mad]

31. Wonderful news! That's a hell of an accomplishment!

This is a team I'll keep my eye on! "Cool Runnings" indeed..........

About 5 years ago, a terrific kid from Jamaica competed in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. It's 1000 miles of very, very tough terrain and extremely cold temperatures, run each February, alternating between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. It's considered to be a much more difficult race, mentally and physically, than the Iditarod.

The musher, Newton Marshall, was not only a huge hit with race fans, out of 29 mushers, many with years more experience, he finished 13th! He also won the Challenge of the North award:

Challenge of the North Award - Newton Marshall
Newton Marshall received a polished caribou antler carving enhanced with ink rendering of ravens (donated by New Horizons Gallery) as the musher who most exemplifies the Spirit of the Yukon Quest; a spirit that compels one to challenge themselves and persevere in spite of all odds against them. This award is sponsored by Denali State Bank and selected by Race Officials.

http://www.yukonquest.com/race-central/yukon-quest-1000-mile/past-results/final-standings/?year=2009

The race in general is explained on Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukon_Quest

Don't ever let 'em tell you a Jamaican "can't", cuz they'll make sure they DO. Newton has a Facebook page and is on YouTube, and I got to shake hands with him at the final party after all the teams were in, as a volunteer. Super guy, and as I said, everyone loved his guts, coming from all that tropical warmth into the icy Northland in February.

I wish the bobsledders the very best of luck, and if you don't win, remember Newton - he's also run the Iditarod!!

[okaawhatever]

32. That's awesome. That's one thing about the new global order. People are finding their calling in the

most unexpected places.

[11 Bravo]

33. Yes, they qualified, but they will need at least $80,000 for equipment and expenses, and ...

right now they have no money. I hope they can raise the necessary cash.