In a significant stride for American winter sports, Acura, the luxury performance brand of American Honda, has forged a multi-year alliance with the USA Bobsled/Skeleton Team (USABS).
This landmark collaboration, extending through 2030, designates Acura as an official premier technology and automotive partner, providing USABS athletes with unparalleled engineering expertise and access to the cutting-edge Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO) Wind Tunnel.
The partnership aims to profoundly enhance the team’s competitive edge on the global stage, with a focus on the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 and French Alps 2030.
This strategic alliance is set to infuse Acura’s “Precision Crafted Performance DNA” into the rigorous demands of bobsled and skeleton, where fractions of a second can determine victory.
A cornerstone of the partnership is the utilisation of the state-of-the-art HALO Wind Tunnel in East Liberty, Ohio. Operational since 2022, HALO stands as a world-class aeroacoustic facility renowned for its exceptional aerodynamic flow quality and acoustic testing capabilities, typically employed in the development of both passenger and motorsports vehicles.
Under this agreement, Honda R&D engineers, leveraging five decades of advanced engineering experience in the U.S., will apply their technical acumen to optimise sledge and equipment configurations for maximum speed and efficiency. Initial efforts will concentrate on the design and development of new four-man bobsleds, with Honda offering crucial aerodynamic expertise and recommendations.
Furthermore, they will meticulously study the aerodynamic impact of athletes on the sledges and provide vital feedback on sliding positions to help them optimise their form and reduce drag, a critical factor in these high-speed sports. This comprehensive support will be extended to USABS at World Cup and World Championship events, as well as the pivotal Olympic Winter Games.
Speaking on the occasion, Larry Geise, Executive Vice President of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA), with responsibility for the North American Auto Development Center (ADC), said, “In this, our 50th year of R&D activities in America, we are proud to help the USA Bobsled and Skeleton athletes in their pursuit of gold at the Winter Games and beyond. In sports where sledges can reach speeds of over 90 miles per hour and the difference between first and last can be measured in fractions of a second, our Honda engineers are eager to apply their engineering skills and racing background to the USABS programs.”
Aron McGuire, CEO of USABS, added, “This partnership with Honda marks an exciting moment for USA Bobsled/Skeleton. Bringing together the precision, performance, and innovation of Honda’s U.S.-based engineering teams with the athletic excellence of our bobsled and skeleton athletes will give the USA team a distinct edge on the world stage. With Acura leading the way as our official automotive brand, we’re proud to align with a company that shares our values of speed, teamwork and relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Chris Fogt, Head Coach of the USA Bobsled Team, continued, “We are thrilled to welcome Honda to the USABS family, and we are grateful for the support of their U.S. engineers. Honda is a known leader in the racing world. We are already seeing how Honda will apply its resources and technologies to advance the training and performance of USABS and can’t wait to see the results.”
Matt Antoine, Head Coach of the USA Skeleton Team, concluded, “In skeleton, an athlete’s head, shoulders, arms, and leg positions are all imperative to aero and performance. Time at Honda’s HALO wind tunnel will provide valuable feedback to our athletes about their sliding positions to allow them to optimise their results.”
As a testament to the brand’s commitment, Acura branding will be prominently displayed on USABS sledges in both national and international competitions. This partnership further strengthens Honda’s robust support for Team USA, building on its role as a founding partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the official automotive partner of Team USA.
As part of this broader commitment, Honda will also provide a range of mobility products, including a focus on electrified vehicles, for use throughout the Games. The alliance between Acura, Honda R&D, and USABS represents a powerful synergy of automotive innovation and athletic prowess, poised to propel American sliding sports to new heights of excellence.
