Mirela Rahneva Slides .01 Short of World Cup Skeleton Podium in Germany
ALTENBERG, Ger.—Canada’s Mirela Rahneva slid .01 short of the World Cup skeleton podium while matching a career-best fourth-place finish on the challenging track in Altenberg, Germany.
Recognized as one of the most difficult tracks on the sliding-sport circuit, the 35-year posted a two-run time of 1:56.71.
“I can’t get any closer to a medal than .01 so I’m happy to be pushing for podiums,” said Rahneva, who was also fourth in Altenberg one year ago. “This track has been notoriously difficult for me, so overall I’m happy with the progress that I have made here.”
The Germans snagged the top-two spots on the podium. Tina Hermann claimed gold at 1:56.46, while Susanne Kreher was second at 1:56.56. American, Mystique Ro, edged out Rahneva for the bronze medal with a time of 1:56.70.
Similar to 2023, Rahneva tamed the 1,413-metre beast of a track while sitting in the bronze-medal position after her first trip down the 17-corner German chute. The two-time Olympian from Ottawa was edged off the podium after the final heat that witnessed lots of movement up and down the leaderboard as the ice slowly deteriorated following the opening 10 sleds.
“It’s a tough track on the mind, but with experience I’ve grown to be resilient over two heats here,” added Rahneva, who captured her fifth career World Cup victory two weeks ago. “Onwards and upwards. I’m hoping to capitalize on all of the hundredths I’ve left in track this season at the World Championships.”
Canada’s Hallie Clarke, of Brighton, Ont., was in fourth place after her first run, but dropped eight spots in the standings to 12th after a difficult second heat. Clarke clocked a combined time of 1:57.26. Jane Channell, of North Vancouver, placed 17th at 1:57.70.
Jane Channell and Blake Enzie Fight for Fifth in Team Competition.
Canada’s Jane Channell and Blake Enzie combined for a fifth-place finish, narrowly missing getting their hands on the bronze medal, at the World Cup skeleton team competition to cap off the day.
The Canadian duo combined one run each to clock a time of 2:01.69 in the tricky German track.
“I’m proud of how Blake and I slid. We always want more, but to come away in fifth place, only .03 seconds away from third, is a big win for us,” said Channell. “I love the reaction start for the team event. It takes me back to my track and field days as a sprinter waiting for the gun to go off.”
The 35-year-old Channell (North Vancouver) threw down the second-fastest opening run in the team event at 1:01.36, clearing the track for Enzie.
“The ice conditions for the team event were what I was hoping for during our women’s race. It was slick and fast,” added Channell. “With skeleton being an individual event, it is so much fun to be sliding with your teammate to the podium.”
Enzie, a 22-year-old Olympian from Calgary, posted the eighth fastest time in his heat, to secure the Canucks fifth place.
“I really enjoy having teammates with me off ice and on, so I feel like I thrive in the team event,” said Enzie, who was 27th in the men’s singles race earlier in the day. “Jane and I have good chemistry with the team events, and I hope that we can continue that success.”
The German duo of Susanne Kreher and Axel Jungk struck team gold with a time of 2:00.92. Anna Fernstaedt and Timon Drahonovsky (Czech Republic) slid to the silver medal with a time of 2:01.61. The American tandem of Katie Uhlaender and Austin Florian battled to a tie for the bronze with Germany’s Hannah Neise and Christopher Grotheer at 2:01.66.
The World Cup continues on Saturday with the women’s and men’s bobsleigh races.
Complete Women’s Skeleton Results: https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/503403/?cHash=188925141eecb78fdd2ac75a4a54f63a
Complete Team Skeleton Results:
https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/503457/?cHash=2e1e0e6d40091ac1cd6c60d3011a0fae
Complete Men’s Skeleton Results:
https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/503402/?cHash=e0c12b09eac1bf0171b481cdda5d530b
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 – Karbon – along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton develops champions in the community, on and off the track, who have a passion for bobsleigh and skeleton. Please visit us at www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca.