First winners in Whistler from Austria, Brazil and Canada
Whistler (RWH) The athletes of the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation IBSF kicked-off the Olympic season 2021/2022 in Whistler (CAN) at the IBSF North American Cup.
Nicole Silveira from Brazil (Women’s Skeleton), Austria’s Alexander Schlintner in Men’s Skeleton, as well als Canadian local heroes Alysia Rissling in Women’s Monobob and Taylor Austin in 2-man Bobsleigh currently lead the overall ranking following victories in the first three of eight races this winter.
30 men and 22 women from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia took part in the Whistler Skeleton races including athletes from nations that joined the IBSF in the last years like Malta, Malaysia, Ghana or Colombia.
In Women’s Skeleton, Nicole Silveira from Brazil dominated all three races and celebrated her first ever victories in IBSF races. Canadians Madison Charney and Hallie Clarke finished second and third in the three races.
Alexander Schlintner won the first two Men’s Skeleton races in Whistler North American Cup to lead the ranking after three of eight events. Also for the Austrian, Junior European Championships bronze medallist in 2021, these were the first ever IBSF victories. Evan Neufeldt from Canada celebrated the victory in the third race. Podium places went to Athletes from Canada (David Park and Evan Neufeldt), Ireland (Brendan Doyle), Spain (Ander Mirambell) and USA (Andrew Blaser).
In 2-man Bobsleigh, Canadian local hero Taylor Austin was the winner of the three home races ahead of USA’s Frank DelDuca. Chunjian Li of coming Olympic host nation China finished third in the first race of the season whereas Korea’s Youngjin Suk took third place in the following two races.
Also the Women’s Monobob World Series 2021/2022 started the Olympic year in Whistler. The series of the discipline that will celebrate the Olympic debut at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing in February is scheduled in all IBSF race series this winter. Canada’s Alysia Rissling stand on top of the podium following the Whistler races with Brittany Reinbolt from USA celebrating two second places and one third. Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian (JAM) as well as Bianca Ribi (CAN) joined Rissling and Reinbolt at the three medal ceremonies.
IBSF racing in Whistler continues with 2-woman and 4-man Bobsleigh North American Cup as well as the start of the Skeleton Intercontinental Cup until November 14.
>> Athletes profiles
Photos: IBSF
