Racing face first, inside the world of skeleton sliding

At the top of the track before a race, skeleton slider John Daly tells himself that there is nothing he cannot do. The sport is notoriously dangerous, and athletes have died attempting it, yet the thrill of racing down a frozen track at nearly ninety miles per hour is irresistible. For Daly, it is the ultimate combination of fear and exhilaration. The sport demands courage, focus, and trust in one's skill, creating a unique experience where danger and joy coexist in equal measure.

The skeleton track itself is roughly one mile long. Athletes slide face first, mere inches from the ice, reaching speeds that can exceed ninety miles per hour. As the green light signals the start, sliders sprint to gain momentum and launch themselves onto the sled. In that instant, sound disappears. The world narrows to the feeling of contact with the sled and the ice beneath. For Daly, each ride is familiar yet intense. Having made the same leap for over fifteen years, the motion has become second nature, but the adrenaline never fades.