Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton     – Justin Kripps and Jesse Lumsden place 14th in two-man bobsleigh

ALTENBERG, Ger.—Canada’s Barrett Martineau slid to eighth place for his best career finish on a European track at the Skeleton World Cup in Altenberg, Germany on Saturday.

The 25-year-old former ski jumper from Calgary clocked a two-run time of 1:54.08 on the 1,413-metre highly technical track.

“I’m wearing a big smile today,” said Martineau after matching his career best performance. He also has eighth place finishes on the World Cup in Park City and Whistler.

 “Altenberg is one of the hardest tracks in the world, and it is one that I have had the least amount of runs and experience on so it’s great to be able to come out of this race as the top North American on European grounds.”

Martineau rebounded after a slow start in his first run, gaining speed down the track to put the eighth fastest down time. He cleaned up his second start, clocking the sixth-fastest time at 5.11, leading to a steady second trip down the 17-corner chute.

“The consistency is coming along. My mental game was strong today and my start continues to improve. All of this combined is making me a more competitive slider,” added Martineau. “I think having access to train at Whistler back home gives me an edge to find some good lines down Altenberg which is deemed the hardest in the world.”

Germany’s Christopher Grotheer found the fast line to the top of the podium in the men’s skeleton race, winning gold with a time of 1:52.30. Latvia’s Martins Dukurs slid to the silver at 1:52.60, while Germany’s Axel Jungk rounded out the men’s podium with a time of 1:52.77.

World Cup rookie, Kevin Boyer, slid to 19th place. The Calgarian posted a two-run time of 1:56.05. Dave Greszczyszyn, of Brampton, Ont., did not qualify for the second heat after finishing 23rd in his opening run.

Meanwhile, Justin Kripps and Jesse Lumsden, struggled to find the fast line in the men’s two-man bobsleigh race. The lone Canadian sled in the field, Kripps, of Summerland, B.C., and Lumsden, of Burlington, Ont., placed 14th with a time of 1:50.63.

Germany’s Francesco Friedrich and Martin Grothkopp clocked the fastest runs in both heats to secure the gold medal with a time of 1:49.20. Russia’s Alexander Kasjanov and Aleksei Pushkarev slid to the silver medal step on the podium at 1:49.841, while Latvia’s Oskars Melbardis and Matiss Miknis grabbed the bronze at 1:49.90

The Altenberg stop on the World Cup wraps up on Sunday with the four-man race.

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, Driving Force and Conceptum Sport Logistics – along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee. Bobsleigh CANADA Skeleton develops Olympic and world champions. Please visit us at www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca.

Complete Men’s Skeleton Results: http://www.ibsf.org/en/component/events/event/168001

Complete Two-Man Bobsleigh Results: http://www.ibsf.org/en/component/events/event/168000

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan                                                                                                  

Media and Public Relations

Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton                

T: 403-620-8731