Pikus-Pace Leads U.S. Women in Lake Placid

Contact: Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager

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

For Immediate Release

November 20, 2009

Pikus-Pace Leads U.S. Women in Lake Placid 

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.- The second women’s skeleton World Cup event took place on the 2009 World Championship track in Lake Placid, N.Y. this morning under cloudy skies.  Temperatures lingered in the 40s, and athletes were greeted at the start with a steady rain, which halted before competition began. 

“It’s a warm day and it was raining all night,” said Noelle Pikus-Pace (Orem, Utah).  “We were training two seconds faster than this.  It’s hard to adjust, but that’s what happens in competition.  We really have to learn to be adaptive and understand that weather plays a big role in the race. 

Predicting the weather, the jury made the decision to spritz the ice, which means to spray a layer of water over the ice, in certain corners along the track after every fifth athlete to help maintain race conditions. 

Pikus-Pace was fortunate to be twelfth in the start order.  The decorated World Cup and World Championship slider pushed identical start times of 5.59 seconds in the two-heat race for runs of 57.75 and 57.83. 

“This is my last season competing,” said Pikus-Pace.  “I’ve been doing this for ten years and it’s been a big part of my life.  When I stand at the starting line and I know these are my last runs on this track, it brings the emotion into it.  I had a really good time and I’m looking forward to going to Italy now.”

Pikus-Pace led the U.S. women today after crossing the finish line in 1:55.58 for fifth place. 

Mellisa Hollingsworth from Canada was victorious with a combined time of 1:54.85 after sliding the fastest runs of the competition, 57.54 and 57.31 seconds. 

Shelley Rudman, 2006 Olympic silver medalist, moved up from fourth after the first run to claim the silver medal with a total time of 1:55.08 (57.73, 57.35). 

Reigning World Champion Marion Trott returned to Lake Placid eager to claim gold again, but slid the third fastest runs in both heats, 57.61 and 57.53, for the bronze medal with a combined time of 1:55.13. 

Katie Uhlaender (Breckenridge, Colo.) hasn’t had luck on her side this season.  Uhlaender finished seventh last week in a one-heat race after the second run was canceled due to snow when she was in good position to move up into the medals. 

Today Uhlaender had an unlucky draw, and the two-time World Cup champion crossed the finish with a combined time of 1:56.15 for 12th place after sliding runs of 58.11 and 58.04 seconds. 

“Usually when you have a top draw you have good ice,” said Uhlaender.  “I’m really disappointed.  I want to put it behind me.  I was hungry in Park City and I’m really hungry now."

Monday will mark 13 weeks since surgery on her left kneecap, which was shattered in a snowmobile accident last April.  Despite the numerous surgeries and tedious rehab program, Uhlaender returned to competition this season as a top contender for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. 

Uhlaender still holds the start record, 5.25 seconds, but pushed times of 5.61 and 5.59 seconds in today’s competition. 

“My knees are getting better,” said Uhlaender.  “A longer start is a little more difficult for me.  Every week I’m much improved.”

Rebecca Sorensen (Fort Collins, Colo.) competed in only her second-ever World Cup competition, and bettered her result from last week after finishing 13th today with a two-run total of 1:56.20. 

“I’m happy with my run, and all I can ask for is to have good runs” said Sorensen.  “The ice is soft because of the humidity and the weather, so you have to adjust your steering and timing, but everyone is in the same boat.”

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. Mellisa Hollingsworth (CAN) 1:54.85 (57.54, 57.31); 2. Shelley Rudman (GBR) 1:55.08 (57.73, 57.35); 3. Marion Trott (GER) 1:55.13 (57.61, 57.52);...5.  Noelle Pikus-Pace (USA) 1:55.58 (57.75, 57.83);...12. Katie Uhlaender (USA) 1:56.15 (58.11, 58.04); 13. Rebecca Sorensen (USA) 1:56.20 (58.07, 58.13);

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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