Newly Formed Canadian Bobsleigh Duo Bronzed at World Cup in Calgary

CALGARY—Canada’s newly-formed bobsleigh duo, Chris Spring and Jesse Lumsden, won their first career World Cup two-man bobsleigh medal together on Saturday night in Calgary.

Calgary’s Spring, who was born in Australia and officially became a Canadian citizen this summer, piloted the Canada 2 sled to his first career two-man podium with a time of 1:49.42. The 29 year old also won a bronze medal one year ago in the four-man World Cup race at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

“We are satisfied, but we wanted more tonight,” said Spring, who was sitting in second spot after the first run. “It is a World Cup podium and you have to be happy with that especially when it is at home.”

Spring, who had a horrific crash in Altenberg, Germany just under two years ago that nearly ended his career, united with the Lumsden, of Burlington, Ont., in the Canada 2 sled this fall where the dynamic duo are now focused on chasing medals around the world.

“This just sets the tone,” said Lumsden, who has pushed Lyndon Rush to multiple World Cup and World Championship medals over the last two years. “Chris Spring is a superstar and I am thrilled to be in his sled. We have a lot of work to do, but we have set the pace for the season. Time to get some sleep and complete the job tomorrow (in the four-man).”

American’s Steven Holcomb and Steven Langton won the season-opener with a time of 1:49.22. Switzerland’s Beat Hefti and Alex Baumann slid to the silver medal at 1:49.38.

Lyndon Rush, of Humboldt, Sask., and Calgary’s Lascelles Brown teamed up for a eighth-place finish in the Canada 1 sled after posting a time of 1:49.80. Justin Kripps, of Summerland, B.C., and Edmonton’s Bryan Barnett finished tied for 13th at 1:50.16

The Viessmann Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup, presented by The Globe and Mail, wraps up at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park on Saturday with the men’s four-man bobsleigh races getting under way at 10 a.m., followed by the women’s bobsleigh race at 2 p.m.

Tickets, which cost $19.99 for a 2-day pass, are on sale now and available at Calgary Safeway locations, Canada Olympic Park Guest Services, through local schools and online at bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca. Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton is also pleased to be working with KidsUpFront, providing tickets to 500 local children to come out and experience the excitement of both sports. With attendance numbers estimated to be in the thousands, fans are encouraged to secure tickets before they sell out.

Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton is a non-profit organization and the national governing body for the sports of bobsleigh and skeleton in Canada. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Adidas, Eurotech – Viking Engineering, BMW Canada, The Globe and Mail, Conceptum Sport Logistics, Therapeutica – along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, and SAIT Polytechnic. Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton develops Olympic and world champions. Please visit us at www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca.  

Complete Results: www.fibt.com

Top-Five Men’s Two-Man Bobsleigh Results:

1. Steven Holcomb/Steven Langton, USA 1, 1:49.22; 2. Beat Hefti/Alex Baumann, SUI 1, 1:49.38; 3. Chris Spring, Calgary/Jesse Lumsden, Burlington, Ont., CAN 2, 1:49.42; 4. Alexander Zubkov/Dmitry Trunenkov, RUS, 1:49.50; 5. Oskars Melbardis/Daumants Dreiskens, LAT, 1:49.62

Other Canadian Results:

8. Lyndon Rush, Humboldt, Sask./Lascelles Brown, Calgary, CAN 1, 1:49.80; T13. Justin Kripps, Summerland, B.C./Bryan Barnett, Edmonton, CAN 3, 1:50.16