Elana Meyers Taylor finishes second in World Cup while Jamanka takes European Championship silver ahead of Köhler
Innsbruck (RWH): Bobsleigh pilot Stephanie Schneider of Germany is the 2018 European Champion. At the BMW IBSF World Cup in Innsbruck (AUT), Schneider and her brakewoman Annika Drazek celebrated their second successive win, while also taking the European Championship title as the race counted for both events.
World Champion Elana Meyers Taylor of the USA (0.36 seconds back) and her brakewoman Kehri Jones finished in second, marking the pilot’s fifth podium finish out of the five World Cup races that have taken place so far this Olympic season.
Defending European Champion Mariama Jamanka (GER, 0.37 seconds back) and her brakewoman Lisa Marie Buckwitz came third in the World Cup, giving them second place in the European Championships.
Bronze in the European Championships went to Anna Köhler/Ann Christin Strack (GER). By finishing fifth in the World Cup, the runners-up from the 2017 Junior World Championships have now met the national Olympic standard (three top-eight finishes).
In the overall standings for the BMW IBSF World Cup 2017/2018, Olympic Champion Kaillie Humphries of Canada (1044 points) has managed to just hold on to her lead over Elana Meyers Taylor (USA, 1030). Defending World Cup title-holder Jamie Greubel Poser (USA, 979), who finished sixth in Innsbruck, is third overall ahead of the last three World Cup races this Olympic season.
For more detailed information including Results of World Cup and European Championships and the current IBSF Ranking please visit ibsf.org. ©RWH2017
Stephanie Schneider (GER, 2018 European Champion, bronze medallist in the 2016 European Championships)
“I’ve done everything I set out to do today, but I still have a few things I want to achieve this season! Having Anni as the brakewoman worked perfectly here.”
Elana Meyers Taylor (USA, 2014 Olympic silver medallist, 2015 and 2017 World Champion)
“We were a little further back at the start today than we are used to. So, I’m happy that it was enough to get a medal. I hurt my back earlier this week, so having Kehri help push me to the second fastest push times today when I'm a little banged up is super impressive.”
Mariama Jamanka (2017 European Champion, runner-up in the 2018 European Championships)
“My two runs today went really well and I am thrilled to get third in the World Cup and silver in the European Championships. The result is especially good in Igls, where the track is flat and slower starters are at a disadvantage. In the team, we’re currently trying to find the best combination of pilot and brakewoman for PyeongChang so you always have to re-adjust to things slightly. However, it is working well.“
Photos: IBSF/Viesturs Lacis
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