Tuffy Latour U.S. Skeleton Head Coach

By webmaster - Wednesday 18 May 2010 - Nr 528

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.- The U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF) proudly announces that Tuffield (Tuffy) Latour (Saranac Lake, N.Y.) has been hired to lead the U.S. skeleton program as head coach for the next quad leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Latour will begin on July 1, and will work out of the Lake Placid, N.Y. office. “The sport of skeleton continues to evolve and we need to evolve with it,” said USBSF CEO Darrin Steele. “It starts at the top, and Tuffy brings a wealth of head coaching and sliding experience with him.” Latour is no stranger to the USBSF office, having worked in several capacities within the organization from 1998-2006. Latour joined the staff as the Lake Placid program director for both sports before transitioning to the women’s bobsled driving coach and finally the men’s bobsled head coach. While working with the U.S. team, Latour helped secure the first-ever women’s bobsled Olympic gold medal and the silver and bronze four-man Olympic medals at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with the world class U.S. skeleton team,” said Latour. “My sliding and coaching careers have touched on both sports, and I am very excited to be back in the U.S. program.” The Saranac Lake, N.Y. native competed as a bobsled pilot for eight years on the Europa Cup and World Cup circuits, and was ranked as high as fifth nationally in skeleton before taking an administrative role. The world took note as Latour coached the U.S. to victory, and Latour was hired as the Canadian bobsled head coach in June 2007. “I will miss the fantastic Canadian staff and athletes, but I’m eager to work with the U.S. team again,” said Latour. While leading Canada’s program, Latour helped the host nation win the women’s bobsled gold and silver medals at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The USBSF looks forward to similar success with its skeleton program in 2014 with Latour leading the team. “My decision to come back to the U.S. program is supported by my family, and we’re all looking forward to what this team can do,” said Latour. Latour lives in Saranac Lake with his wife, Kathy, and their two children; Hannah, age 10 and T.J., age 6. For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at abird@usbsf.com, or at (518) 523-1842, ext. 106. Additional information regarding the U.S. bobsled and skeleton team can be found online by visiting www.usbsf.com.