Women’s Skeleton World Cup Begins in Park City

Contact: Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager

(518) 523-1842, ext 106, abird@usbsf.com

For Immediate Release

November 12, 2009

Women’s Skeleton World Cup Begins in Park City 

PARK CITY, Utah- The first women’s skeleton World Cup competition for the 2009-2010 season was cut to a one heat race after jury members canceled the second run due to a sudden snow squall in Park City, Utah.  All 25 sleds were able to complete a first heat, and eight sleds crossed the finish line in the second run before it was canceled. 

“I was trying to dodge snowballs on the way down,” said Noelle Pikus-Pace (Orem, Utah), who was the last competitor to cross the finish before the second run was canceled.  “I didn’t know there was going to be an obstacle course.  It was pretty snowy and coming down hard.”

Previous World Champion Anja Huber from Germany claimed the first win of the season with a run of 51.22 seconds.  Amy Gough from Canada claimed the silver medal with a first heat time of 51.36 seconds, and just one-hundredth of a second behind was teammate Melissa Hollingsworth, who grabbed the bronze for Canada after crossing the finish line in 51.37 seconds.

Despite continuing a rehab program after three knee surgeries over the summer, Katie Uhlaender (Breckenridge, Colo.) was the highest U.S. finisher in today’s competition.  Uhlaender pushed a start time of 5.19 for a finish time of 51.57 seconds, placing her in seventh.  During an interview earlier this month, Uhlaender said she didn’t expect to be in top form until February.

“I still have some work to do,” said Uhlaender.  “I know I’ll be where I need to be when it counts.”

Pikus-Pace pushed a start time of 5.25 for a run of 52.00 seconds in the first heat for 13th position, and was looking forward to an opportunity to move up in the final heat.

“It is pretty disappointing, but we have to know that it comes with the territory and it comes with competition,” said Pikus-Pace.  “Finishing thirteenth on my home track isn’t where I was planning to be, but there’s only one direction to go from here the rest of the season and I’m looking forward to moving on to the race in Lake Placid [N.Y.] next week.”

Rebecca Sorensen (Fort Collins, Colo.) pushed the fifth fastest start time, a 5.11, before sliding to the finish in 52.39 seconds.  Sorensen finished 18th in her World Cup debut, and will return to her home track in Lake Placid next week, where she once held the start and track record, for the second World Cup competition of her career.

Please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at (518) 523-1842, ext. 106, or at abird@usbsf.com for any questions regarding the U.S. team.

Results:

1. Anja Huber (GER) 51.22; 2. Amy Gough (CAN) 51.36; 3. Melissa Hollingsworth (CAN) 51.37;...7. Katie Uhlaender (USA) 51.57;...13. Noelle Pikus-Pace (USA) 52.00;...18. Rebecca Sorensen (USA) 52.39; 

About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: Allianz Life, Under Armour, Vilter Manufacturing, 776 Original Marketing, KBC Helmets, Luminox Watch Company, EDAS/Ripxx and Ferris Mfg. Corp. The USBSF would also like to thank the following sponsors and suppliers for their partner, the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project:  Whelen Engineering, PPG, Columbia Sportswear, JEGS Automotive, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools, EXA, Lumber Liquidators, Lincoln Electronics and Racing Electronics.  For more information, please visit the USBSF website at http://bobsled.teamusa.org.

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