Work-Energy: Finding Contact Force at Lowest Point

[johnchen25]

Homework Statement

Suppose a skater is sliding down a parabolic track of known height of 12 meters. You are also given the quadratic equation of the track in terms of x and y, which are in meters. Neglecting friction, how would you find the contact force between his wheels and the track at the lowest point (the minimum of the quadratic equation)?

Homework Equations

y = (12/121) x^2

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not sure how to attack this problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Delphi51]

At the lowest quadratic minimum, the motion is purely horizontal.
What force(s) are involved?
It appears to me to be a very simple problem with only one force . . .

 

[johnchen25]

Yeah, it seemed too simple to be correct...