Update, Summer and Moving Forward

שבת שלום to all of you on the first Friday of the relaunch of this blog.

So much has happened in the last year that it would be impossible to recount in just one blog post.  Over the coming weeks I'm going to give you all the details about last season, the most exciting thing being the team's trip to the FIBT World Championships in Konigssee, Germany.  This competition took place in the shadow of the "Eagle's Nest" which was one of Hitler's mansions during WWII.  It was a huge honor to carry the Israeli flag to this place and compete for Israel and Jewish people the world over.  So many of you were a direct reason why I was able to do this.  Your financial support allowing me to get to Germany in the final days leading up to the competition was truly overwhelming.  I want to thank you all again for that from the bottom of my heart.

If the past of the team is exciting, the future however is only looking brighter.  I've been working hard all spring and summer to be even better this year individually, and for the team to have a more solid representation and presence internationally.  I am faster and leaner then I have ever been, having lost 13 pounds since the end of last season with a few more to go before the ice freezes in October.  We also have our first even potential recruit coming in September to give Skeleton a try.  If she ends up committing, the Federation will send a female team to the World Championships this year as well, and be represented in two disciplines for the first time ever in an FIBT World Championship.

On the admin side of things, the IBSF incorporated a 501(c)(3) here in NY, The Israeli Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, Inc., and is in the middle of applying for tax-exempt status.  We have some really amazing and dedicated people working hard and for free to make this Corporation a success.   We expect to be approved for tax-exempt status soon, and that will be the new fundraising arm of the IBSF.  We held our first successful fundraiser this summer, at Ariel's of Englewood and were able to raise some money after driving a Bobsleigh in the back of a pickup truck down the Jersey Turnpike.  I've also filled out an Aliah application, and should be getting my Olim visa in the coming weeks.

Overall it's been a busy, busy, last few months.  I will let you guys know all about it, and of course give you all the info on next season.  The blog is going to have more photos this season, and I've added a YouTube channel for the team so that you will be able to see the action on video.  I'm sure you guys will enjoy that and I hope you'll come back often to follow along.

For now, just a big Hello! from Lake Placid.  The leaves are changing colors, the temperature is dropping, and the smell of fall is in the air.  It won't be long before the ice is on the track and the season is underway.  It's going to be a great season culminating in the FIBT World Championship here in Lake Placid, and I hope you will come along for the ride again with us.  

Thanks again so much.

~Bradley