Cynthia Appiah Battles to Season Best Sixth at Monobob World Cup in Norway

LILLEHAMMER, Nor.—Canada’s Cynthia Appiah blasted to her best monobob result of the season, sliding to sixth in Lillehammer, Norway.

The Torontonian took advantage of the fourth- and second-best starts off the block at the top of the 16-corner Olympic Track to clock a two-run time of 1:49.38.

“Today felt exhilarating. It was great to finally get on the podium (top 6) after a challenging season,” said Appiah, who finished third overall in the World Cup monobob standings two years ago. “Just like last year, things are starting to trend in the right direction just before World Championships.”

The 34-year-old Olympian was in sixth spot after her first rip down the 1,710-metre frozen waterslide. She held her position after posting the fourth-fastest final-run time (54.70). Appiah has found comfort on the Lillehammer track. She was fifth at the rare Norwegian stop one year ago.

“I really love this track in Lillehammer,” added Appiah, who has nine career podiums in World Cup monobob. “I’m excited to see what I can do tomorrow in the two-woman, and then again next week here.

“The track here is very similar to Calgary, with both of them built in the same era, so it’s no surprise to me that I’ve enjoyed driving it.”

Australia’s Bree Walker and American Kaysha Love finished deadlocked at 1:49.14 over the two runs to share the gold medal. Germany’s Laura Nolte placed third at 1:49.21.

Melissa Lotholz (Barrhead, Alta.) was 14th at 1:50.26. Toronto’s Erica Voss drove to 20th place, posting a time of 1:50.89 in her season-debut on the World Cup.

Ottawa residents - Pat Norton and Mike Evelyn O’Higgins – were the top Canucks in the two-man race, placing 17th with a time of 1:42.97.  Taylor Austin (Lethbridge, Alta.) welcomed Cyrus Gray (Duncan, B.C.) into the sled. The newly formed duo stopped the clock at 1:43.41 in their two trips down the track to finish 19th. Jay Dearborn (Ottawa) and Kenny M’Pindou (Edmonto) did not qualify for a second run, placing 24th.

Germany’s Francesco Friedrich and Alexander Schuller took the two-man gold with a time of 1:41.15.

Complete Monobob Results:
https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/504865/?cHash=7592cd510c4ab5a9472ddd7bdb4b4c3f

Complete Two-Man Results:
https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/504849/?cHash=4e2dda61effb61492c5984ab59cc2eb9

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