A third-generation Olympian, Jim Shea is a member of an experienced American skeleton contingent preparing for the sport's return to the Olympic program in Salt Lake City. In January 1998, he became the first American to win a skeleton World Cup event and was the top U.S. finisher in every race of the 1998-99 season.
 
In February 1999, he became the first American to win a world title. He followed that victory with a third-place finish at the 2000 World Championships in February -- the same month in which he won the gold medal at the inaugural winder Goodwill Games.