Olympic Skeleton Competitor Talks Competition, Thanks A Sponsor In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — U.S. skeleton athlete Austin Florian was back in Connecticut to mingle with a major sponsor Wednesday and celebrate a season that led him to a record number of days in Europe, culminating with the Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

"It was a good experience and now it's back to work and training," said Florian during a visit to Raising Cane's in Manchester.

In Cortina, Florian, a Southington native, finished 12th overall in the men's singles and teamed up with Mystique Ro to finish seventh in the mixed team event. He and Ro were world champs in 2025.

Florian set Olympic start records in his first two runs.

He was the top American finisher.

Florian said his top Olympic moments were entering the stadium for the opening ceremonies and seeing his wife, Erica, for the first time after an extensive time in Europe.

"Walking into the opening ceremonies was more special than I ever imagined," Florian said. "And my wife has been so supportive, so seeing her was great."

Florian was on hand Wednesday to acknowledge the support of raising Canes. It was an easy drive for him, since he works as an engineer at Kaman Corporation in Bloomfield when he is not training. It's the marvel of the minor winter sports, he said, with many of the athletes in the same situation.

"Raising Cane's has been a big supporter of the bobsled and skeleton teams, and does an amazing job helping us," he said.

Florian has also helped rally fans nationwide through the Raising Cane’s limited-edition Bobsled Plush Puppy fundraiser with sales directly benefiting USABS in their journey to the world’s biggest stage.

Raising Cane's =serves as a premier sponsor of the USABS, supporting athletes as they train and compete around the world. Through financial support, national promotions and fan-favorite fundraising campaigns like the Bobsled Plush Puppy – which donates a portion of proceeds directly to the team – Cane’s helps fuel the future of sliding sport.

"A lot of people will notice us every four years, but with the help of sponsors like Raising Cane's, we can urge people to check out the sport every season."

A major track is not that far away, he said. The driving distance from the Raising Cane's in Manchester to the Lake Placid bobsled track on Mt. Van Hoevenberg) in New York is approximately 245 miles.

"It's a short drive to see my self and other fly down a track at 80 miles per hour," he said. "We urge people to head up there to check us out and support the team every season."

And eating a few chicken fingers will certainly add to that support.