Skeleton Riders Timi Earl and Lizzy Maxwell

Best friends Timi Earl and Lizzy Maxwell are going to the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Austria next month and they are both in for a wild ride! Downhill that is. Head first.  On a very fast board weighing 80lbs in a sport called the Skeleton.

Each nation can send a maximum of 2 boys and 2 girls to the Skeleton event. Timi, age 15, and Lizzy, age 16, are both from Utah and are the only two that will be representing the U.S. at the event.

I got to meet and watch Timi and Lizzy in action two night's ago.  Timi's first run that night happened to also be her fastest so far, reaching speeds above 78mph and she's still just warming up.

First, here are some of my favorite "action" shots from the night. Watch how they get a "running, jumping start". They have to land on their board and immediately take control as they head down a steep hill and into a curve, ultimately reaching speeds approaching and perhaps even surpassing 90mph:

Timi Earl:







Lizzy Maxwell:






We had a fun photo shoot with the girls before their track time came up. You can tell from the pictures that both of them are very fun loving and good friends. It will be fun to watch them and see how they do at the Youth Olympics next month.






I wish them both luck as they attempt to leave their mark on the sport next month in Austria! GOOD LUCK TIMI AND LIZZY!