He equates his creations to cafeteria trays with runners.

But modest or not, it seems Alex Zahavich, SAIT’s director of applied research and innovation services, and his students have a knack for getting Canadian skeleton athletes from the top of the track to the bottom in a hurry.

The local polytechnic has designed 30 sleds for use by top athletes and this season marks the first time all three members of the men’s Canadian national team are using them.

“They (students) are seeing a very direct application of their efforts and I think that’s an incredible learning experience,” Zahavich said.

The sport of skeleton, which many describe as a face-first version of luge, gained popularity during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Spectators will  recall images of Canadian Jon Montgomery chugging celebratory beer on the streets of Whistler after claiming gold. Representatives with Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton hope SAIT’s innovative designs help steer them to more success.

“The athletes know that at SAIT they are getting a quality sled with internationally proven, leading-edge technology,” said BCS high-performance director Nathan Cicoria.

And when asked about the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, Zahavich doesn’t hold back his enthusiasm.

“The goal is to have a gold medal around the neck of an athlete riding on a SAIT sled, bar none.”