U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Team Selections Begin in Lake Placid

Contact: Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager

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

For Immediate Release

October 14, 2009 

U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Team Selections Begin in Lake Placid 

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.- U.S. bobsled and skeleton athletes competed in the first of four selection races at the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y. today.  The top three athletes in all five disciplines after team trials will be named to the 2009-2010 World Cup team. 

Noelle Pikus-Pace (Orem, Utah) made her bid for the team by winning today’s women’s skeleton competition with a combined time of 1:53.38 after sliding the fastest two heats in the women’s field, 56.61 and 56.77 seconds. 

“The track was awesome today,” said Pikus-Pace.  “It was smooth and fast.  Thanks to the track crew, we can get on ice early and it gives us an advantage over most nations.”

Close behind in second was Rebecca Sorensen (Fort Collins, Colo.) after sliding runs of 56.69 and 56.85 for a combined time of 1:53.54.  In third was Annie O’Shea (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) with a total time of 1:54.27 (56.98, 57.29).  O’Shea also had the fastest push times of the competition with identical 5.37 second starts in both heats.

After breaking her kneecap in a snowmobile accident last April, Katie Uhlaender (Breckenridge, Colo.) was waived out of the selection races to continue her rehabilitation program.  The two-time World Cup champion will be designated to a team prior to the training weeks in Whistler, British Columbia based on the 2009-2010 selection criteria. 

In the men’s skeleton race, Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.) made a statement by winning the first selection race by over half a second.  Bernotas slid runs of 54.66 and 54.77 for a total time of 1:49.43. 

“It was a good start to the season, but I have quite a bit of work ahead of me,” said Bernotas.  “It’s good to have a win under my belt, but I can’t let my guard down.”

In second was Matt Antoine (Prairie du Chien, Wisc.), who made his World Cup debut last season and claimed bronze on the 2010 Olympic track in a breakthrough year.  Antoine crossed the finish line in 54.97 and 55.00 seconds for a combined time of 1:49.97. 

In third with a two-run total of 1:50.48 was veteran athlete Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.), who clocked runs of 55.15 and 55.33 to claim the bronze. 

Erin Pac (Farmington, Conn.) teamed with Michelle Rzepka (Novi, Mich.) to win the first women’s bobsled selection race with a two-run total of 1:55.38 (57.70, 57.68).   The duo paired together to win the World Cup bronze on the 2010 Olympic course in last year’s dress rehearsal. 

“It feels good to have one win under my belt,” said Pac.  “My confidence is definitely building and I’m really happy about our start times.”

Jamia Jackson (Lake City, Fla.) partnered with 2009 U.S. National Push Champion Elana Meyers (Douglasville, Ga.) for second place with a total time of 1:55.49.  In third were teammates Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Wash.) and Emily Azevedo (Chico, Calif.) with a combined time of 1:55.74. 

The start record was broken three times during the women’s competition.  In the first heat, Jackson and Meyers broke the record after powering off the block in 5.49 seconds.  Pac and Rzepka responded with a push time of 5.47 seconds.  Eager to reclaim the record, Jackson and Meyers combined forces for an explosive start time of 5.46 seconds in the final heat.

“It’s exciting,” said Jackson.  “Elana pushed like a monster back there.  Everyone had great pushes today, but it was nice to come back on our second run and regain the record.”

Shauna Rohbock (Park City, Utah) received a bye onto the team based on her 2008-09 season results, which included a World Championship silver medal and gold on the 2010 Olympic course in Whistler.

Returning Olympic medalist Todd Hays (Del Rio, Texas) teamed with Charles Berkeley (Clayton, Calif.) to take the lead in the men’s bobsled competition.  Hays and Berkeley slid runs of 55.65 and 55.69 for a total time of 1:51.34. 

In second was the team of John Napier (Lake Placid, N.Y.) and Jamie Moriarty (Winnetka, Ill.) with a combined time of 1:52.72 (56.24, 56.48).  Olympic medalist Mike Kohn (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) partnered with Alex Sprague (Indianapolis, Ind.) to finish third, stopping the clock at 1:53.31 after sliding runs of 56.62 and 56.69. 

After claiming the historic World Championship crown and collecting 11 World Cup medals last season, Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah) was granted a bye onto the 2009-2010 team. 

Competition will continue tomorrow in Lake Placid before moving on to Park City, Utah for the final two competitions.  The World Cup team will be announced on October 24^th, with the top three athletes in all disciplines earning a position on the team. 

For additional information, please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at (518) 523-1842, ext. 106, or abird@usbsf.com. 

Results:

Women’s Skeleton

1. Noelle Pikus-Pace 1:53.38 (56.61, 56.77); 2. Rebecca Sorensen 1:53.54 (56.69, 56.85); 3. Annie O’Shea 1:54.27 (56.98, 57.29); 4. Courtney Yamada-Anderson 1:54.61 (57.56, 57.05); 5. Keslie Tomlinson 1:54.65 (57.15, 57.50); 6. Kimber Gabryszak 1:56.71 (58.35, 58.36); 7. Rachelle Rasmussen 1:57.13 (58.10, 59.03); 8. Tracey Anderson 1:57.77 (58.88, 58.89); 9. Sabrina Hiteshew-Wilson 1:57.79 (58.90, 58.89); 10. Joy Bryant 1:58.06 (58.65, 59.41); 11. Cassie Revelli 1:58.44 (59.03, 59.41);

Men’s Skeleton

1. Eric Bernotas 1:49.43 (54.66, 54.77); 2. Matt Antoine 1:49.97 (54.97, 55.00); 3. Caleb Smith 1:50.48 (55.15, 55.33); 4. Zach Lund 1:50.98 (55.69, 55.29); 5. Chris Burgess 1:51.05 (55.40, 55.65); 6. Stokes Aitken 1:51.08 (55.35, 55.73); 7. John Daly 1:51.11 (55.84, 55.27); 8. Luke Schulz 1:51.52 (55.59, 55.93); 9. Kyle Tress 1:51.66 (55.67, 55.99); 10. Tom Abbey 1:54.06 (57.14, 56.92); 11. Brad Stewart 1:54.37 (57.23, 57.14); 12. Matt Griff 1:54.93 (57.22, 57.71); 13. Chris Nurre 1:55.21 (57.87, 57.34); 14. Nick Vienneau 1:55.59 (5.11, 5.09);

Women’s Bobsled

1. Erin Pac and Michelle Rzepka 1:55.38 (57.70, 57.68); 2. Jamia Jackson and Elana Meyers 1:55.49 (57.82, 57.67); 3. Bree Schaaf and Emily Azevedo 1:55.74 (57.94, 57.80)

Men’s Bobsled (Two-man)

1. Todd Hays and Charles Berkeley 1:51.34 (55.65, 55.69); 2. John Napier and Jamie Moriarty 1:52.72 (56.24, 56.48); 3. Mike Kohn and Alex Sprague 1:53.31 (56.62, 56.69); 4. Grayson Fertig and Theron Johnson 1:54.81 (57.35, 57.46); 5. Mike Bradley and Hoy Thurman 1:55.39 (57.45, 57.94); 6. Ethan Albrecht-Carrie and Justin Orr (57.47, DNF)

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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