I recently read Naj Wikoff’s excellent article regarding the history of women’s bobsledding. It is true that these women were responsible for making women’s bobsledding into a competitive sport. I could not, however, help to notice that one woman’s name was omitted. This omission is understandable as she was sliding long before many of the references quoted. Tony Carlino, a good source of bobsled history, was not on the scene when this lady slid. Jim Lamey, a noted bobsledder himself, was not at the run at this time either.

Lynn VanArman was the first woman to be a licensed bobsled driver since Katheryn Dewey. She went to the run in 1969 to watch a race, came back a short time later and took a ride and was hooked. Lynn rode the brakeman for several seasons. She took driving lessons with the NY State Conservation Department, was issued a half-mile license and then a mile license in February of 1971. Lynn slid when the sleds had no sides and the instructional sleds had no cowls either. She was disappointed to learn that she could not compete in any races as the AAU (Amateur Athletic Association) had a ruling that men competed against men and women competed against women. There were no other women!

As Mr. Wikoff’s article stated there were hard feelings from some of the male competitors, even way back then. Male drivers gave her no help or encouragement. This was overridden by all the positive encouragement and help the track workers gave to her. She was grateful to all of the track workers for helping her obtain her licenses. Lynn slid recreationally as a driver and as a brakeman for the Plattsburgh Bobsled Club for several years.

Jack Mulholland,

Plattsburgh