Bernotas

Bernotas, in his first Olympics, is a threat to hit the podium after finishing third in the World Cup.

USATODAY.com - Bernotas finds calling on a sled 2006

"My state of being depressed, my lack of direction, my girl problems — I didn't know how to handle those," Bernotas says.

USATODAY.com - Bernotas finds calling on a sled 2006

I knew people were going to step up their games today, Bernotas said.

USATODAY.com - Canada grabs gold, silver in skeleton; U.S. is non-factor 2006

An all-around team athlete, Eric Bernotas took a wrong turn on a road trip and discovered the sport he loves.

USATODAY.com - Bernotas finds calling on a sled 2006

Eric Bernotas, considered a contender for a medal on the basis of his No. 3 ranking on the World Cup tour, finished sixth with a combined time of 1 minute, 57.19 seconds, about 4/10ths of a second out of a medal.

USATODAY.com - Canada grabs gold, silver in skeleton; U.S. is non-factor 2006

Bernotas, battling a virus and lack of sleep all week, was among the top racers in training — finishing in the top three in five of the six training runs.

USATODAY.com - Canada grabs gold, silver in skeleton; U.S. is non-factor 2006

Bernotas and Ellis finished third and fourth in the overall World Cup standings this season, and Soule is a former World Cup champ.

USATODAY.com - Switzerland's Maya Pedersen wins skeleton gold 2006

Eric Bernotas finished 10th and held onto third on the season.

USATODAY.com - Athlete of the Week Mancuso rides streak in Italy 2006

An NBC affiliate was shooting footage of Ellis, skeleton Olympians Eric Bernotas and Katie Uhlaender and luge Olympians Christian Niccum and Erin Hamlin participating in an informal, non-Olympic sledding session on a public sledding hill that is part of the Cultural Olympiad near the athletes village.

USATODAY.com - Skeleton racer Ellis breaks vertebra 2006

Bernotas and Kevin Ellis were named to the team, but Lund received a public warning for a doping violation from use of a common hair restoration product.

USATODAY.com 2006