Cynthia Appiah Fights for Fifth at Monobob World Cup in Altenberg

ALTENBERG, Ger.— Cynthia Appiah put down the third fastest run in the final heat to climb into fifth place in monobob racing at the World Cup in Altenberg, Germany on Saturday.

The Torontonian combined runs for a total time of 2:01.77.

“Altenberg is a daunting track but one that I seem to do well on so I can’t complain about this week’s monobob performance,” said Appiah, who has three monobob World Cup medals in Altenberg, and was also fifth at the 2021 World Championships on the German chute. “I always seem to be on the podium or fifth here. The ice has been really grippy and slow, so I’ve had to adjust how I approach my drive.”

The strategy paid off.

Appiah was in seventh spot after her first run down the 17-corner track, but the 33-year-old battled her way into the podium mix with one of her best runs of the season in the final heat. 

“That second run was a major improvement over the first,” added the 2022 Olympian. “I had a heightened sense of awareness going into my runs today. Overall, I’m pleased with how things are going as we head into World championships next week.”

Germany’s Laura Nolte captured the gold medal with two consistent runs and a total time of 2:01.29. Elana Meyers Taylor, of the United States, was second at 2:01.52, while Germany’s Lisa Buckwitz clocked-in at 2:01.55 for the bronze.

Calgary’s Bianca Ribi struggled to find the fast line down the challenging 1,413-metre icy chute, placing 14th at 2:03.37.  

Calgary’s Taylor Austin made his return to the World Cup circuit for the first time this year. The 2022 Olympian teamed up with DeVaughn McEwan (Spruce Grove, Alta.) in the lone Canadian sled for the two-man race.

The 33-year-old Austin and McEwan, 32, finished 15th with a time of 1:53.84.

Germany’s Adam Ammour and Costa Laurenz took top spot in the men’s race with a time of 1:51.41. Francesco Friedrich and Thorsten Margis, also of Germany, was second at 1:51.59. Korea’s Jinsu Kim and Hyeonggeun Kim stopped the clock at 1:52.02 for the bronze medal.

The two-woman and four-man bobsleigh races will take place on Sunday in Altenberg.

Complete Monobob Results:

https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/503404/?cHash=04f9f2a5519ce07053569a6c34e0bfa8

Complete Two-Man Results:

https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/503406/?cHash=9ce83677e5157531d6dcc82bcf405f1d