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Show i A-17 The Park Record Wednesday, January 28, 1998 Park Record Profile Craig Lehto is helping Utah prepare for upcoming Sports Park track manager's experience from Canadian Olympics is a major asset by Dave Fields OF THE RECORD STAFF Craig Lehto considers his experience experi-ence working in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics one of the best experiences of his life. It is that feeling Lehto hoped to duplicate by accepting the job as manager of the then-soon-to-be-open Utah Winter Sports Park bobsled bob-sled and luge track in July of 19. "What attracted me here is to be able to go for that experience again." Lehto said. One year ago last Sunday, bobsled bob-sled driver Bruce Rosselli piloted the first official bobsled down North America's third bobsled and luge track with a woozy Governor Mike Leavitt aboard. Since that memorable memo-rable first run, hundreds, if not thousands, of people have experienced experi-enced Utah's Olympic centerpiece. America's 1998 bobsled team has been selected in trials held at the Sports Park, skeleton racers from throughout North America have tested their skills against one another anoth-er and countless public riders have been able to get a taste of the Olympic experience at the Bear Hollow facility. As soon as last winter's win-ter's ice melted off the mile-long track, summer wheeled-sled programs pro-grams commenced. "1 think I've aged a bit in the last year," Lehto jokes. Grey hairs aside, Lehto is proud of what has been accomplished in the last year and gives the track's first year a 'B' grade. 6rs!. Msftfiev L-cdto Occvpafion-Ufoh Winter Sporty Park, -track, manager faml-Mfc, Ponna, yZ folvc-aion-fiiivfcKi'hj of Oalgawj, bacMor'c. of ffafSoal 6oK-Lc-fWKicg-, Canada io rtaKnj and va L-chto ciJcncc-Fmc-turook, Ufah Tftohictt 'Summit mm mm 1 s. "Every goal we had written down, we've achieved so far," savs Lehto. One standard by which Lehto judges the track's success is through the public and its "overwhelming" enthusiasm for the public-ride programs. pro-grams. Thrill seekers signed up on waiting lists this winter to pay $125 for 60 seconds of extreme G-forces in a four-man bobsled. The rocket ride program, in which passengers experience 35-45 mph in a self-steering, self-steering, one-man sled, sells out daily. All of the public programs as well as international competitions are a warm-up for the big event - the 2002 Winter Olympics. Regardless of whether skeleton (similar to luge except riders slide down the track on their stomachs and head first) is accepted into the 2002 Games by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC), the Utah Winter Sports Park will be the most hectic of Olympic venues come four years. In April of 1999, SLOC will take over the Sports Park and it's Lehto's goal to make the transition smooth and painless. Working within the successful 1988 Winter Games in Calgary gave Lehto the experience he will undoubtedly need. An icy career Surprisingly, Lehto is not an ice athlete. Although he's participated in all of the ice sliding sports in his 12 years around bobsled and luge tracks, he's never competed seriously serious-ly or considered one of the sports his favorite. Lehto is a track manager, man-ager, not a track junkie. Before receiving his University of Calgary bachelor's degree in physical education, Lehto took a job at the Canada Olympic Park (COP). The year was 1986 and Lehto was 22. He was working as an assistant to the track manager and Lehto "knew absolutely nothing noth-ing about bobsled or luge." At the time, COP was in its infancy - like the Utah Winter Sports Park now - but the Games were right around the corner. "Things were a lot more hectic (in Calgary), we only had a year to I VI IK mo Restaurant Sushi Bap TVotch Tleiv ouJefy 71 ain get ready," Lehto recalled. Canadians fondly remember the hectic Games as an event that made their community international yet closer than ever, according to Lehto. "It was the definition of pressure," pres-sure," Lehto said. "The amazing part was to see the plan unfold in front of you." What would have been an overwhelming over-whelming task individually was softened soft-ened by the abundance of experienced experi-enced workers and volunteers. Even when the warm westerly Chinook winds spread dirt on the COP track, canceling a day's racing, Calgary overcame. "We got around it. ..and we carried on. People turned it into a positive," Lehto remembered. Lehto's hoping the same unified feeling experienced by the Canadians will be felt here in 2002. He said having five years to prepare will make it that much easier. Many hats Lehto oversees a crew of 1 1 during dur-ing the 20-week winter season at the bobsled and luge track. Among other duties, the crew has to keep the ice surface in racing condition, keep it clear of the famous Utah powder, oversee an ice refrigeration plant and maintain the Sports Park road. Considering the tasks, it's not surprising Lehto's days are unpredictable. unpre-dictable. During a recent skeleton pilot school at the Sports Park, Lehto and his crew awoke to a foot of new snow on the track the morning of the school's race. After spending a few hours pushing a stuck truck out of the women's start driveway, Lehto cleared the ice for the racers and then worked as the starter for the race. During any major race at the park, Lehto can be found perched atop a silver metal box at the start area with his feet resting on the track wall. Because of the limited number of race officials in Utah, Lehto has to serve as an international interna-tional official and starter. It's the starter's job to radio to the timing tower when the next competitor is ready to go and then when the sled is "in track." The track manager is quick to point to the "unsung heroes" of the track - the people that spend countless count-less hours sculpting the ice into three-dimensional perfection during the winter season. "It's an incredibly unique skill." Because the Sports Park can't offer an $800 season pass like the local ski areas, "We have a real challenge chal-lenge attracting seasonal employees," employ-ees," Lehto said. "We haven't invented that Zamboni yet." When a person takes to ice sculpting, however, they are passionate pas-sionate about the ice and start to enjoy the "almost ridiculous" job of maintaining the bobsled and luge track, according to Lehto. Chilly duties aside, Lehto also works closely with SLOC. Many days are spent in the refrigeration plant's conference room (bigger desk) with laptop computer and paper.. .lots of paper. With the Nagano Games just over a week away, Olympic organizers are now feeling the crunch of being the next Winter Olympic host city. "Once the Nagano Games fin-ish...this fin-ish...this becomes the bobsled center cen-ter for the world," Lehto said. With hands-on experience in a previous Winter Olympics as well as being familiar with the new Utah facility, Lehto is one person SLOC looks to for budget numbers and other planning information. He's hoping open lines of communication communica-tion between all of the parties involved - from Frank Joklik to the construction workers - will help him avoid "ever duplicating anything." Lehto's job is "a continual push" to keep the communication open and planning "on track." It's the combination of working on plans for the future and the day-to-day operations that Lehto finds satisfying. "I enjoy that type of schedule-drive schedule-drive stuff," he said. The ice sliding world is a tight-knit tight-knit group of athletes. Within the last year, almost every top bobsled, luge and skeleton slider in the world has made a trip to the Utah Winter Sports Park. As track manager, Lehto could be seen as the gatekeeper gate-keeper who takes athletes" money. Instead, he views his relationship with the sports as a partnership. Working with "developing" sports like luge, bobsled and skeleton skele-ton is a driving force for Lehto. "I like that the sports are really trying to challenge for everything they get," Lehto said. "It's easy to Off otesaaHi) oooolte listen to what youVe getting in 1 998. j!f"W fJHf' JS2ist -.frvp'1 VSUw:- tSi!?. Visit a participating dealer Park City Cellular 1950 Woodbine Way 8 Park City (435) 649-7626 1997 AT&T. Digital PCS phone and credit approval required. Nine State Home Calling Area includes Alaska, Hawaii.Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada. Idaho, Utah and Colorado, and is available on qualifying calling plans. Coverage area varies based on plan selected. Airtime is billed in one minute increments with partial minutes rounded up to the next full minute. Unused minutes cannot be carried over to the next month. Some features available only In Digital PCS service areas and may require additional software or equipment. Caller ID requires local telephone support and may be blocked or unavailable on certain calls. Areas where you receive messaging do not necessarily correspond with traditional Messaging Service areas. Other conditions and exclusions apply. - : Ml - ry '-I'll h 'W K. K I ' - -j PHOTO COURTESY CRAIG LEHTO Craig Lehto and his wife Donna enjoy hiking together when the Sports Park bobsled and luge track ice melts in the spring. get involved, that's the fun part of my job." Because most of the ice sports are still developing, especially in Utah, newcomers are getting a unique opportunity to get in at the ground level of programs. The junior luge athletes, who have only been sliding one year are in a prime position to vie for Olympic spots in the 2002 Winter Games. "I don't think they know what they've gotten themselves into," Lehto said. "They in the Olympic track every single day.. .that gives them a huge advantage." The few athletes that do take advantage of the park are the minority, according to Lehto. He said, for the most part, the community commu-nity does not realize "there's so many opportunities for people. ..it's amazing." was) 8b 0 $24.99 for 60 min. $39.99 for 200 min. $49.99 for 400 min. $69.99 for 600 min. $99.99 for 800 min. $119.99 for 1200 min. Call us today at: I 800-IMAGINE aiuuujLANJsCT-R Olympics A long winter Because the ice sliding season is only 20 weeks. Lehto often finds himself working six and seven days a week. Once the ice melts, track managing becomes a regular 40-hours-a-week job. On the rare occasion he's not at the park in the winter, Lehto and his wife Donna try to ski. A knee injury sustained ice skating with his niece has kept Lehto off the snow and ice all winter but the couple enjoys hiking when spring rolls around. Lehto said his wife likes spring "a lot better" than Winter. "We want to ski a lot more," said the self-described movie buff. Although they have no children or pets, Lehto estimates that may change soon. "We're just two people... I don't think it will stay that way very long," Lehto predicted. &m 0 As (0t w0 Park City Electronics (Radio Shack) 1776 Park Avenue, Suite 13 Park City (435) 649-2620 Heber Electronics, Inc. (Radio Shack) . 14 South Main 'Heber (435) 654-7425 aAUftil |