TEAM USA BEGINS WEEK 2 OF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

WINTERBERG, GERMANY (MARCH 2, 2024) - USA Bobsled/Skeleton began Week 2 of races at the IBSF World Championships with heats one through four of 2-Woman Bobsled and heats one and two of 4-Man Bobsled. 

The action began on March 1 with heats one and two of 2-Woman. After the first day, Kaysha Love and Azaria Hill were in fourth with a two-run time of 1:52.60. Elana Meyers Taylor and Emily Renna were in sixth with their combined time of 1:52.70 and Riley Tejcek and Jasmine Jones were in 20th with their time of 1:54.31.

On March 2, the races continued with the first couple of heats of 4-Man in the morning, followed by the final two heats of 2-Woman in the afternoon.

In 4-Man, Frank Del Duca alongside push athletes Adrian Adams, Manteo Mitchell and Hakeem Abdul-Saboor finished their first two heats in 14th place with a combined time of 1:48.98.

In 2-Woman, Love and Hill finished in fourth after all four heats with a time of 3:45.23. Meyers Taylor and Renna placed sixth with their combined time of 3:45.64. Tejcek, who completed her last two runs alongside Jestena Mattson, finished 20th with a time of 3:50.50. 

“The women did an incredible job battling this weekend. They faced a tough challenge on the German track, but we are in a good position to do very well next season as we host the World Championships in Lake Placid. The success this weekend was a result of the entire team working together; coaches, athletes, sports med, etc.. everyone played an important part,” shared Curt Tomesevicz, Director of Sport Performance for USABS.

Also this week, the IBSF Para Sport World Cup was held in St. Moritz, Switzerland. What was supposed to be a two-day series of races unfortunately was shortened to just one race day on February 29 due to weather. Bob Balk earned a silver-place finish in this competition with his two-run time of 2:28.13 in Para Bobsled.  

“Thank you to IBSF technical staff, race organizers and officials. It is always a privilege to race here on the beautiful and historic track. It was a very special race today, with this race we have met the IPC minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for the 2030 Paralympic program,” shared Balk about his podium finish. 

Also competing was Austin Parker, who finished fifth with his time of 2:28.66, Will Castillo who placed 15th with his time of 2:29.96 and David Christopher, who placed 16th with his time of 2:30.73. DJ Skelton also slid as a forerunner.

The Para Sport World Championships will take place March 9 and 10 in Lillehammer, Norway. The next and final World Cup competition of the 2023/2024 sliding season will be held in Lake Placid, NY beginning March 21, which will coincide with the first-ever Pan-American Championships. 

4-Man bobsled will conclude with heats three and four tomorrow, March 2.

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About USA Bobsled/Skeleton

USA Bobsled/Skeleton is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton racing in the United States. Based in Lake Placid, NY, USA Bobsled/Skeleton oversees the development and training of American athletes at all levels of competition.