Smith and Tomlinson Lead U.S. in Königssee Intercontinental Cup

Contact: Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager

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

For Immediate Release

December 5, 2009

Smith and Tomlinson Lead U.S. in Königssee Intercontinental Cup

Königssee, Germany- The Intercontinental Cup circuit moved to Königssee, Germany today, where 57 athletes competed for a chance at gold.  Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.) and Keslie Tomlinson (Potomac Falls, Va.) were the highest U.S. finishers in their respective fields, both placing 11th.

“This week was very constructive for me,” said Smith.  “I made a lot of progress with the kreisel here. That corner has challenged me in the past." 

The kreisel is a challenging 360-degree corner.  Six tracks in the world have a kreisel corner, each with its own difficulties. 

“Orvie Garret has done an outstanding job with our team,” said Smith about the U.S. team’s coach.  “I couldn’t ask for more in a coach.”

Smith pushed start times of 4.95 and 4.99 seconds for runs of 49.03 and 48.78 seconds, respectively. The veteran slider finished 11th with a combined time of 1:37.81 in a competitive men’s skeleton field of 32 sliders. 

“The track sped up a lot today and unfortunately I didn't adjust as I needed to on the first run,” said Smith.  “There are a lot of positives to be taken from this week, even though the result was not what I was looking for coming into the race." 

Alexander Gasznar from Germany continues to dominate the Intercontinental Cup tour by winning gold with a combined time of 1:35.81 after sliding the fastest runs of the competition, 47.98 and 47.83 seconds. 

In second was David Lingmann, also from Germany, with a two-run total of 1:36.56 (48.37, 48.19).  Chris Type from Great Britain claimed bronze with a total time of 1:36.90 (48.63, 48.27). 

Matt Antoine (Prairie du Chien, Wisc.) finished 13th with a total time of 1:37.84 after crossing the finish line in 49.01 and 48.83 seconds.  Antoine is currently the third ranked U.S. athlete in the international points on the world-ranking list. 

In 16th was Stokes Aitken (Salt Lake City, Utah) with a two-run total of 1:38.52 after sliding runs of 49.18 and 49.34 seconds. 

Tomlinson was the highest U.S. finisher in the women’s skeleton competition.  The veteran slider slid runs of 50.56 and 50.59 seconds for a total time of 1:41.24 to finish in 11th place.

Australian Melissa Hoar won her second race of the season with a combined time of 1:39.57 (49.96, 49.61).  Carla Pavan from Canada finished second with a two-run total of 1:39.60 after posting times of 49.93 and 49.67 seconds, while home track athlete Katharina Heinz claimed bronze with a total time of 1:39.66 (50.04, 49.62). 

Kimber Gabryszak (Park City, Utah) finished one spot behind teammate Tomlinson for 12th place.  Gabryszak slid runs of 50.57 and 50.81 seconds for a combined time of 1:41.38.

Annie O’Shea (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) continues to nurse a strained hamstring and finished 19th with a two-run total of 1:42.52 (51.18, 51.34). 

The Intercontinental Cup circuit will continue next week on the 2006 Olympic track in Cesana, Italy. 

Complete results from today’s competition can be found by visiting the web site for the Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing at www.fibt.com.  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:

Men’s Skeleton:

1. Alexander Gasznar (GER) 1:35.81 (47.98, 47.83); 2. David Lingman (GER) 1:36.56 (48.37, 48.19); Chris Type (GBR) 1:36.90 (48.63, 48.27);...11. Caleb Smith (USA) 1:37.81 (49.03, 48.78);...13. Matt Antoine (USA) 1:37.84 (49.01, 48.83);...16. Stokes Aitken (USA) 1:38.52 (49.18, 49.34); 

Women’s Skeleton:

1. Melissa Hoar (AUS) 1:39.57 (49.96, 49.61); 2. Carla Pavan (CAN) 1:39.60 (49.93, 49.67); 3. Katharina Heinz (GER) 1:39.66 (50.04, 49.62);...11. Keslie Tomlinson (USA) 1:41.24 (50.65, 50.59); 12. Kimber Gabryszak (USA) 1:41.38 (50.57, 50.81);...19. Annie O’Shea (USA) 1:42.52 (51.18, 51.34);

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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