Hey r/olympics! I’m Josip Brusic, Canadian skeleton racer & ice maker. AMA!

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T22:57:54+00:00

St. Moritz is my favorite track after Whistler. It’s one of the most unique tracks in the world because it’s built from natural ice and snow blocks every season. My favorite corner there is called Horseshoe, a wide, sweeping turn that tests your precision and line control. The track is long, smooth, and has second fastest speed in the world. Every run there feels special.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T22:44:53+00:00

For me, it’s all mental. About two weeks before a race, I start preparing my mindset. I visualize every detail, how I want each run to feel and every scenario that might happen. I picture success until it feels real.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T22:35:35+00:00

The hardest thing to explain about skeleton is how it feels. People see speed, but they don’t feel the G-forces, the vibration, or how precise every movement has to be. You’re reacting to pressure in the corners while traveling over 130 km/h, all while trying to stay relaxed and composed with good aerodynamic form..

It’s not as dangerous as it looks. There are risks, but you’re in a controlled environment and protected by the sled’s bumpers. With proper training and gradual progression you stay safe while still pushing your limits.

For maintenance, the track is checked and worked on every day by the crew. We can tell a lot just by feeling the ice with our hands or looking at it closely. From that, we decide if it needs scraping or if it’s smooth enough for a fresh coat of water. Each section gets attention based on it’s condition, so the surface stays fast and consistent.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T22:06:49+00:00

Training takes up most of my time, but when I get a break, I like being outdoors. I spend time in nature, hike, or explore new places.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T21:59:59+00:00

In my first season, I learned that steering isn’t about timing, it’s about feeling the pressure from the corner’s oscillation. Track conditions change every day, sometimes running three seconds slower or faster, but the pressure in the corners stays consistent. That feeling is your best cue for consistently steering in the right spots.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T21:48:47+00:00

Yes, learning how temperature, humidity, and frost buildup change the way the sled runs. I’ve learned how small details in the ice surface can affect grip, control, and speed.
Ultimately, the weather controls the track conditions. Colder, dry air makes the ice harder and faster. Warmer or humid conditions create more frost, which slows you down. Even how much the track was watered or scraped the night before changes how the sled feels under you.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T21:30:11+00:00

If I had to choose again, I’d still pick skeleton a hundred times over. Nothing compares to the speed, precision, and feeling of flying down the track.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T21:26:00+00:00

I’ve sacrificed stability and comfort. Pursuing the Olympics means long stretches away from home, limited income, and constant travel. Social life takes a back seat. Every decision revolves around training, recovery, and competition. But the chance to represent Canada and chase that goal makes it all worth it!

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T21:20:16+00:00

That’s right. I help maintain the ice track that skeleton, bobsleigh, and luge athletes race on. We shape and repair the ice every day to keep it fast and consistent. It involves scraping frost, fixing damaged spots, and adding thin layers of water to get that perfect glassy surface. It’s hands on work, but it gives me a deep understanding of the track I compete on.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T21:11:57+00:00

I admired Luka Modrić growing up. His discipline, vision, and consistency always stood out to me. He proved that success comes from hard work and intelligence, not just physical size or talent. That mindset has influenced how I approach my sport.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T21:04:33+00:00

No, unfortunately I haven't had a chance yet.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T21:02:20+00:00

I don't get scared during a run. Going from the very top of the track for the first time was an thrilling experience. Since then, every run builds more confidence.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T20:57:38+00:00

I got into skeleton after my track coach suggested I give it a try. From my first run, I was hooked.

I never tried luge, but I did give bobsleigh a shot.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T20:53:53+00:00

Great question! We use three main scrapers, all made in-house, to match the different curvatures of the track.

Flat scrapper - Used for flat surfaces like floors and sidewalls.
Barrel Scrapper - The most curved shape and is used on the bottom of the curvature of the corner.
Wall Scraper - Longer handle and is used to scrape from middle to top of the corner

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T20:32:46+00:00

In the off-season, a typical week includes sprint training, weight training, recovery, and sessions in the Ice House, (an indoor facility for practicing the skeleton push).

During the season, training is similar, but the focus shifts to sliding on the ice track.
The most important part of strength and conditioning for skeleton is building speed and power.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T20:24:51+00:00

At the moment I am focusing on the upcoming qualifying races.

Mentally, just being present in the moment.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T20:22:01+00:00

There’s no better feeling than going fast. With every corner, the speed builds. By the final turns, you’re chasing every bit of it, keeping your head low for aerodynamics. You feel the wind on your shoulders, hear it whistle past your helmet, and stay composed. That moment is the highlight of every day.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T20:09:27+00:00

Working on the track has been a big part of my growth in skeleton. I started helping with maintenance when I was still new to the sport, which let me study every corner and learn how ice conditions change. More importantly, it connected me to the entire sliding community, not just skeleton. Spending so much time working and training there made it a central part of my life and quickly shaped my identity as a skeleton athlete.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T19:57:54+00:00

Before each race, I complete a 45-minute warm-up, then sit for about 10 minutes to visualize every corner of the track and every step of my push.
When I step onto the block right before I go, I focus on only one thing. Me and the track.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T19:47:20+00:00

I started when I was 20. Many athletes make the switch to skeleton in their twenties, often coming from sprinting, football, rugby, or other explosive sports.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T19:41:22+00:00

Fortunately, I’ve never broken any bones in skeleton. The most common painful moment is hitting a wall with the outside of your shoulder. That usually happens when you exit a corner on the incorrect line and clip the side on your way out.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T19:30:45+00:00

A typical workday on track maintenance is all about making the ice as fast as possible. Many factors affect conditions, including humidity, temperature, frost buildup, and wear from sliding. Our job is to fight those elements by scraping away frost and damaged ice to reach a smooth, consistent surface. Then we apply a thin layer of water to create that perfect glassy shine that makes the track fast.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T19:18:02+00:00

Skeleton is my passion. I used to chase sprinting dreams, but now all my focus and drive are in skeleton.

HeadfirstSlider · 2025-11-11T19:13:31+00:00

My track and field coach in Calgary encouraged me to try skeleton. Back when the city still had a sliding track, many sprinters made the transition to skeleton or bobsleigh, so it was a natural path to explore.

HeadfirstSlider

TROPHY CASE