STJ "Cool Runnings"
Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:55 pm
Keep your fingers crossed...if she qualifies maybe The Shopper 3 can run over there and give her a few jello shots for courage! 
Olympic Committee could make decision on local racer today
By SEAN McCOY
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010
St. John native Alexa Putnam has spent four years training for a shot at Olympic glory, but now her chance to travel to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver rests in the hands of the International Olympic Committee.
All she can do is wait.
Bern Putnam, Alexa's father, said on Tuesday that he has still not heard whether Putnam will compete in the Olympics.
"She's a little stressed out waiting" for the IOC decision, Bern said.
Putnam is ranked 21st in the world in the Skeleton. The top 20 racers compete in the Olympic Games.
The Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and the FIBT - the International Federation of Bobsledding and Tobogganing, which is sport's governing body - have pushed to allow Putnam to compete because there are two open slots in the men's competition.
Because they all use the same course, that could open enough time to squeeze in one more woman competitor. The VIOC and FIBT are asking the Olympic Committee to reallocate one of vacant men's spots in the Games to the women's competition.
Currently, out of 30 men's skeleton spots in the games, only 28 have been filled. While the deadline for entries passed at 4 a.m. Tuesday, VIOC President Hans Lawetz said he has not yet received word as to weather Putnam will be allowed to compete.
The games are scheduled to begin Feb. 12.
"Right now in the men's and women's skeleton, she's the only one left who's not qualified in the elite pool," Bern Putnam said. "If anyone else goes, it's going to be her."
Bern said he expected to hear a decision soon, most likely today.
Alexa first qualified for the World Cup at 17. Now 21, she has been the youngest competitor in four straight World Cup competitions.
Bern said Alexa has had a tough year with a case of the flu and a dislocated knee cap.
"She would have made it every other year," Bern said. "It's been a tough year for injuries."
Putnam is currently training in Germany with the German team she has trained with for the last four years.
"We're just waiting to hear," Bern said. "She's training as if she's going to go."
Olympic Committee could make decision on local racer today
By SEAN McCOY
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010
St. John native Alexa Putnam has spent four years training for a shot at Olympic glory, but now her chance to travel to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver rests in the hands of the International Olympic Committee.
All she can do is wait.
Bern Putnam, Alexa's father, said on Tuesday that he has still not heard whether Putnam will compete in the Olympics.
"She's a little stressed out waiting" for the IOC decision, Bern said.
Putnam is ranked 21st in the world in the Skeleton. The top 20 racers compete in the Olympic Games.
The Virgin Islands Olympic Committee and the FIBT - the International Federation of Bobsledding and Tobogganing, which is sport's governing body - have pushed to allow Putnam to compete because there are two open slots in the men's competition.
Because they all use the same course, that could open enough time to squeeze in one more woman competitor. The VIOC and FIBT are asking the Olympic Committee to reallocate one of vacant men's spots in the Games to the women's competition.
Currently, out of 30 men's skeleton spots in the games, only 28 have been filled. While the deadline for entries passed at 4 a.m. Tuesday, VIOC President Hans Lawetz said he has not yet received word as to weather Putnam will be allowed to compete.
The games are scheduled to begin Feb. 12.
"Right now in the men's and women's skeleton, she's the only one left who's not qualified in the elite pool," Bern Putnam said. "If anyone else goes, it's going to be her."
Bern said he expected to hear a decision soon, most likely today.
Alexa first qualified for the World Cup at 17. Now 21, she has been the youngest competitor in four straight World Cup competitions.
Bern said Alexa has had a tough year with a case of the flu and a dislocated knee cap.
"She would have made it every other year," Bern said. "It's been a tough year for injuries."
Putnam is currently training in Germany with the German team she has trained with for the last four years.
"We're just waiting to hear," Bern said. "She's training as if she's going to go."
do ya'll think she trains "off season" down Centerline or Gift Hill Road'? 