So, too, are the country's best skeleton racers.
Gerd Grimme has presided over two world champion bobsleigh teams and coached elite teams in Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and Germany.
As an internationally renowned coach his services are in demand, but he leapt at the opportunity to come to Dunedin and work with the New Zealand team.
"I saw a good opportunity here," the 49-year-old German said.
"In regards to our human resources, we are competitive with the best in the world, no doubt. But we need to improve our material base - our sleds and equipment."
The New Zealand bobsleigh squad was only selected earlier this year after a nationwide talent identification process.
Nine athletes were chosen for their potential and the squad held its first training camp in May.
Grimme will be based in Dunedin for the next two months to prepare the greenhorns for the World Championships at Lake Placid next year.
Ultimately, the goal is to help the team qualify for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
"I see quite a good chance to get the guys competitive for the Games."
The squad includes two former Olympians - sprinters Chris Donaldson and Mark Keddell - and a former New Zealand representative at the world championships in the 4x100m, Don McDonald.
So the team has plenty of pace and, with experienced pilot Alan Henderson at the helm, the squad has the potential to break into the top 15, if not the top 10, in the world, the coach said.
Grimme led the Canadian crew to two world championship titles and helped the Germans win gold at the Olympics in 1994, but with the New Zealand crew the goals are more modest.
"I would say success would be to qualify [for the Winter Olympics]. Right now, we are at level zero . . . and we rank 24th in the world, so we have to move up to the top 15 first.
"What would be a huge success to me would be to finish in the top 10."
Fellow sledding coach Dirk Matschenz (29) has been working with top New Zealand skeleton racers Tionette Stoddard and Ben Sandford.
Matschenz, who leaves today, rates Sandford as a potential medal prospect.
