WINTERBERG, Ger.—Hallie Clarke charged into the new year with her second top-10 finish of the young season in Winterberg, Germany.
Competing in her first event after an extended holiday break, Clarke placed eighth in her first return to the track where she was crowned the youngest World Champion ever in the sport one year ago at 19 years old.
The Brighton, Ont. talent clocked a two-run time of 1:57.21.
“Returning to Winterberg came with a mix of emotions. It was a tough adjustment to change plans from last year as the ice was much different,” said the 20-year-old Clarke. “But nonetheless, I do love this track.”
Her connection with Winterberg was on full display in her second rip down the 1,330-metre chute where she posted the fifth-fastest time of the final heat, climbing three spots up the standings.
“In the first run I wasn’t very settled on the sled. I had to shake a bit of the rust off after being away for a month,” added Clarke. “Run two definitely went better and it has me now looking ahead with better focus on what I need to work on before World Championships.”
North Vancouver’s Jane Channell snagged the final spot in the top-15 with a combined time of 1:57.46. Calgary’s Grace Dafoe was 29th.
Austria’s Janine Flock slid into the winner’s circle with a golden time of 1:56.66. Anna Fernstaedt, of Czechia, was second at 1:56.93. Germany’s Hannah Neise rounded out the women’s podium with a bronze-medal time of 1:56.95.
Two Canadians also suited up for the men’s race but came up short in qualifying for the second run with the fastest-25 athletes.
Kyle Donsberger was 32nd while fellow Calgarian, Kyle Murray, placed 39th.
Matt Weston, of Great Britain, took the first gold medal of 2025 with a time of 1:53.12.
Complete Women’s Skeleton Results:
https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/504806/?cHash=6fdd50458b238da5fbe9ad39e0a7bcec
Complete Men’s Skeleton Results:
https://www.ibsf.org/en/result/504801/?cHash=22cb5a5a4abc8df01675df963dd9c7df
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, Athabasca Oil Corporation in collaboration with Canada Actions I Love Energy, Joe Rocket and Driving Force – 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.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton
T: 403-620-8731