Bernotas Fifth in Lake Placid

Contact: Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager

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

For Immediate Release

November 20, 2009 

Bernotas Fifth in Lake Placid 

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.- Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.) led the U.S. men’s skeleton squad with a fifth place finish at the second World Cup event of the 2009-2010 season in Lake Placid, N.Y. today.  The U.S. team was up against a competitive field of 28 athletes from 15 nations. 

“I think we’re going up against some tough competition,” said Bernotas about the decorated field of Olympic and World Cup medalists.  “Everyone is getting better and better, and we’re still able to be in the mix.”

Bernotas pushed start times of 5.12 and 5.13 for runs of 55.28 and 56.43 seconds, respectively.  The 2006 Olympian still holds his track record of 54.43 seconds on the 19-curved Lake Placid course, which was set in December 2007.  Mild and damp weather created slower ice conditions today, so athletes were far from touching Bernotas’ record. 

“We can take confidence from this race instead of feeling discouraged,” said Bernotas.  “We didn’t get a medal like we’re used to getting, but we still learned a lot.”

Frank Rommel from Germany dominated the competition, sliding to the finish in 1:50.88 to claim the gold medal after clocking runs of 55.04 and 55.84 seconds.   German teammate Sandro Stielicke was nearly half a second behind for the silver medal after crossing the finish with a two-run total of 1:51.36 (55.21, 56.15). 

Martins Dukurs, who won last week’s season opener, finished third with a combined time of 1:51.37 after sliding runs of 55.15 and 56.22 seconds. 

Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah) finished 10th today with a two-run total of 1:52.14.  Lund suffered a minor leg injury during team trials, which he continues to recover from, and pushed times of 5.18 and 5.10 seconds.  His first run time of 55.58 seconds put Lund in eighth position going into the final heat, within distance of the podium. 

“Days like this can be tough,” said Lund.  “But that’s just racing.  It’s an outdoor sport and the weather plays a role in results sometimes." 

The 2007 World Cup champion put down a clean second run of 56.56 seconds, but fell back into tenth position. 

“My second run I did the absolute best I could,” said Lund.  “I can walk away knowing I did the best I could do, and it is what it is.”

John Daly (Smithtown, N.Y.) finished just one-hundredth of a second from his teammate in 11th place with a combined time of 1:52.15.  Today marked Daly’s second-ever World Cup competition.

“It’s definitely intimidating,” said Daly.  “Some of these guys have been on tour for half of my lifetime.  Make one mistake and they’ll eat you up.  I’m really happy with today’s performance, I had two solid runs.”

Daly continues to be a threat at the start, pushing the second fastest time of the competition, 4.89 seconds.  The rookie athlete slid to the finish in 55.59 and 56.56 seconds, finishing just outside of the top ten standings.

“Being on tour has been a lot of fun,” said Daly.  “Everyone has been so nice, including the guys on the team.  Zach and Eric have been my mentors.”

World Cup competition will continue on the 2006 Olympic track in Cesana, Italy at the end of the month. 

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. Frank Rommel (GER) 1:50.88 (55.04, 55.84); 2. Sandro Stielicke (GER) 1:51.36 (55.21, 56.15); 3. Martins Dukurs (LAT) 1:51.37 (55.15, 56.22);...5. Eric Bernotas (USA) 1:51.71 (55.28, 56.43);...10. Zach Lund (USA) 1:52.14 (55.58, 56.56); 11. John Daly (USA) 1:52.15 (55.59, 56.56);

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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