ST. MORITZ, Sui.—Hallie Clarke will slide into the history books as the first skeleton athlete ever to hold both the senior and junior World Championship titles at the same time.
The 20-year-old Canadian won the Junior World Championships at the birthplace of the sliding sports in St. Moritz, Switzerland on Saturday. Last February she became the youngest ever to slide headfirst to the top of the elite World Championship podium at just 19 years of age, taking the senior crown in Winterberg, Germany.
“My goal for this (Olympic) quadrennial was to be a Junior Champion, but to have both the junior and senior titles is extra special. There are no words to describe what I’m feeling,” said Clarke, who is one of only five Canadians, two women, to have a senior World Championship title. “It’s a little funny that I was able to get both titles backwards by winning the senior first, but I learned so much from World Championships last year.
“My approach into this race was so different. There was a lot more confidence in my approach, not because of where I was or who I was racing against, but because of that experience in Winterberg last year.”
Clarke, of Brighton, Ont., was dominant in a field of 24 women representing the future of the sport, clocking the fastest down times in both heats for a combined time of 2:19.46 on the only non-refrigerated track in the world.
“I think racing the World Cup here last week helped me a lot today. The extra time sliding on the track allowed me the time to really dial things in,” added Clarke, whose parents were at the bottom of the stunning 1,700-metres of natural ice that winds its way to the finish in the town of Celerina to celebrate the moment with their daughter.
“Nothing is a guarantee in racing. One hit or skid can completely take you out, and that really compounds here in St. Moritz with the length of the track. I was just really focused in my training on improving my runs from last week’s World Cup race.”
Mission accomplished.
Clarke put down a career-best start time at 5.31, top speed at 135.4 and downtime off 1:09.70 in her opening run to set herself up or the triumph.
“Sliding in St. Moritz is magical. It is like no other track in the world. Even when you have a bad run, the view is still so beautiful, and the track so smooth,” said Clarke who thrived in the historic setting. “I had a challenging first half of the season off the track, but I found my love of sliding again and joy in it here. “That’s what I channeled last year (in Winterberg) and I found that feeling again this week. This gives me a lot of confidence heading into the final World Cup races and (senior) World Championships.”
Switzerland’s Sara Schmied was the next best finisher .88 behind at 2:20.34. Belgian, Aline Pelckmans, locked up the bronze medal with a two-run time of 2:20.40.
Canada also sent three sleds to the starting block for the men’s race, including Josip Brusic and Jacob Coleman. Calgary’s Brusic was the top Canuck in the men’s race, placing 18th at 2:21.01, while Coleman was 27th. Ryan Kuehn placed 24th with a time of 2:23.13.
Germany’s Lukas Nydegger was crowned men’s junior champion with a time of 2:16.72.
Complete Women’s Skeleton Results:
Complete Men’s Skeleton Results:
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 – 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