Meet Jace Johnson: From Bessemer to the Bobsled
Wingers is teaming up with U.S. bobsled athlete Jace Johnson as he chases his biggest goal yet: the 2030 Winter Olympics.
The first-impression from a fifth-grade classroom.
When Jace Johnson first learned about bobsled, becoming a professional bobsled athlete probably wasn't exactly part of the plan.
He was in fifth grade. His teacher put on the 1993 Bobsled Movie Cool Runnings during the 2010 Winter Olympics, and something about the sport stuck with him.
"I thought that it was cool and I decided to watch it every four years after that," Jace said.
Fast forward 16 years, and he's no longer just watching.
He's competing in the same sport.
And now, we're pretty excited to have Jace joining the Wingers family as he continues his journey toward one very big goal: qualifying for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
So...Who Is Jace Johnson?
Jace grew up in Bessemer, Alabama, a small town about 20 minutes outside of Birmingham.
Long before there was a bobsled involved, basketball was his sport. He played all the way through college before an unexpected suggestion from his collegiate strength coach introduced him to something completely different.
Bobsled.
Jace participated in a virtual tryout to see if he had the athletic skills for the sport. As he puts it, “the rest is history.”
Although, his first trip down the track wasn't exactly love at first ride.
"I was absolutely terrified!" Jace said. "Taking a bobsled ride is something you can't really put into words, but I do think everyone should experience it at least once in life."
Well... we'll take his word for it.
Wait...What Does a Bobsledder Actually Do?
Today, Jace is a pilot/driver, which means his job involves a whole lot more than steering a sled down an icy track at very, very high speeds.
"I am constantly studying tracks, physically training, handling team logistics, etc.," he said.
The physical side of training may actually be more familiar than you'd expect.
Bobsled athletes spend a lot of time sprinting and lifting, much like athletes in more traditional sports. They can also practice their bobsled push year-round using a sled with wheels, gradually incorporating more pushing as the competitive season gets closer.
According to Jace, plenty of athletes may have already done some bobsled training without even realizing it.
Sprint. Lift. Get stronger. Get faster.
Then add a giant sled and some ice.
Easy enough, right?
Every Track Is a New Puzzle
There's another side to being a bobsled pilot that goes beyond pure speed and strength: figuring out the track.
Every course is different, which means Jace has to learn how to navigate each one.
That's actually one of the things he's looking forward to most this season.
"Each track is unique in its own way, and I look at them as puzzles that I'm trying to solve," he said.
He's already had the chance to compete on some pretty incredible ones.
His favorite memory so far came during his rookie year, when he made his first World Cup start in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
"The entire experience was special to me, and I cherished every moment of it!"
Now, there are plenty more tracks ahead.
The Road to 2030
Jace has his sights set on the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
Getting there means years of training, traveling, competing and continuing to improve. But for Jace, there's something bigger keeping him motivated.
"Knowing that there is someone out there who could use my story to keep pushing through whatever their current situation is," he said. "I believe that I am a walking testimony of faith, perseverance and persistence. If I can do it, you can do it too!"
That's part of what we're excited for Wingers guests to experience as we follow Jace's journey.
Not just the races and results, but everything that comes with chasing a goal this big.
"Even though things don't always go as planned, I always try to smile at the end of the day, and I hope they do too."
Okay, But What's His Wingers Order?
Obviously, we had to ask the important questions too.
Jace's first Wingers visit was in December 2023.
Apparently, we made a decent first impression.
"My first visit was so good that I went back the very next day!"
And these days, there's no hesitation when it comes to his order:
10 Cajun Garlic Butter Wings (all flats) with fries.
All flats?
Jace knows what he wants. We respect it.
When he's not training, competing, or studying his next track, you'll find him doing things that involve considerably less ice and speed. He loves spending time with family, building LEGOs, listening to music and going for walks.
Come Along for the Ride
Over the next several months, we'll be sharing more of Jace's journey as he trains, competes and works toward his goal of representing the U.S. at the 2030 Winter Olympics. Make sure to follow our Wingers social media so you don’t miss out!
There will be training. There will be travel. There will probably be a few Cajun Garlic Butter Wings along the way.
And if there's one thing Jace wants people following his journey to take from it, it's that the road doesn't have to go perfectly to be worth enjoying.
From watching Cool Runnings in a fifth-grade classroom to climbing into a bobsled himself, we'd say the journey is already off to a pretty great start.