Jane Channell Rockets to Bronze Medal at Skeleton World Cup in Winterberg
WINTERBERG, Ger.—Canada’s Jane Channell slid to her first career podium on the Skeleton World Cup, winning the bronze, in Winterberg, Germany on Friday.
The 27-year-old Channell rocketed down the 14-corner track in a two-run time of 1:58.75 to slide onto the final step of the podium.
“It feels so good to have been able to put together two consistent runs,” said Channell. “The weather conditions weren’t ideal. The first run the track was covered in fog. It cleared up a bit for the second run, but the track still wasn’t fast. I know we can’t control the weather so I just told myself we have to roll on and slide with what was given to us.”
Germany’s Tina Hermann won the race with a time of 1:57.87, while Jacqueline Loelling, also of Germany slid to the silver with a time of 1:58.27.
Calgary’s Elisabeth Vathje slid to ninth spot with a time of 1:59.30.
Competing in just her second year on the World Cup, Channell has had some success in Winterberg. She narrowly missed the podium placing fourth at the World Championships on the same track last year.
“I really like this track. We spent lots of time here last year so it’s rewarding to see that work has paid off,” added Channell.
A former student-athlete at Simon Fraser University, Channell’s dream of competing in skeleton at the Olympic Games took shape when Canada won the opportunity to host the 2010 Games in her hometown of Vancouver. After participating in a recruitment camp, Channell took advantage of the Whistler Sliding Centre being created up the Sea-to-Sky Highway from her North Vancouver home, and has never looked back.
“I’m more confident going into this year on the World Cup circuit. We’re revisiting tracks that were new to me last year so I’m able to build off what I have already learned,” said Channell.
Dave Greszczyszyn, of Brampton, Ont., was the top Canuck in 13th spot for the second straight week. The Grizz clocked a two-run time of 1:55.49.
Barrett Martineau, of Calgary, placed 17th with a time 1:56.98.
Latvia’s Martins Dukurs won for the second straight week with a time of 1:54.73. Germany’s Axel Jungk and Russia’s Alexander Tretiakov finished deadlocked in second at 1:55.29.
The World Cup continues on Saturday in Winterberg with men’s and women’s bobsleigh races.
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 –– BMW Canada, Conceptum Sport Logistics – along with the Government of Canada, and Own the Podium. Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton develops Olympic and world champions. Please visit us at www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca.
Complete Results: www.fibt.com
Top-Five Women’s and Canadian Results:
1. Tina Hermann, GER, 1:57.87; 2. Jacqueline Loelling, GER, 1:58.27; 3. Jane Channell, North Vancouver, CAN, 1:58.75; 4. Laura Deas, GBR, 1:58.96; 5. Sophia Griebel, GER, 1:58.99
Canadian Results:
9. Elisabeth Vathje, Calgary, 1:59.30
Top-Five Men’s and Canadian Skeleton Results:
1. Martins Dukurs, LAT, 1:54.73; T2. Axel Jungk, GER, 1:55.29; T2. Alexander Tretiakov, RUS, 1:55.29; 4. Sungbin Yun, KOR, 1:55.60; 5. Christophe Grotheer, GER, 1:55.69
Canadian Results:
13. Dave Greszczyszyn, Brampton, Man., 1:55.49; 17. Barrett Martineau, Calgary, 1:56.98