Nikita Tregubov second at Olympic half-way point, ahead of Martins Dukurs
PyeongChang (RWH): The Olympic hosts Korea have come down with a case of skeleton fever. Thousands of spectators lined the Olympic Sliding Centre course from start to finish in order to cheer on athletes in the first two of the four Olympics heats in the men’s skeleton in PyeongChang (KOR). The athlete leading the pack at half-time is local hero Sungbin Yun, the 2018 World Cup winner and top favourite to claim Olympic gold on his home track.
Setting a new track record of 50.28 seconds, Sungbin Yun has an impressive 0.74-second lead over the rest of the 30-strong field of athletes. The Junior World Champion Nikita Tregubov (OAR) will enter the second deciding day of the Olympic proceedings in second place. Current World Champion Martins Dukurs (LAT, 0.88 seconds back) is currently in third.
Another athlete who still has a medal in his sights is Team GB’s Dominic Parsons in fourth, who is currently 0.91 seconds behind the leader.
Jisoo Kim (KOR), who finished in a surprising fourth after the first heat, dropped back to sixth place after his second run.
During the second heat, Wenqiang Geng of future Olympic hosts China showed off the results of his impressive training efforts. Securing the seventh best time, he pushed his way up to 13th. ©RWH2018
>> Results
Quotes
Sungbin Yun (KOR, Winner of 20018 Overall World Cup, World Championships bronze medallist 2016)
“I do not feel any pressure at all! These are the Olympic Winter Games at my home track. I just want to enjoy everything here!”
Nikita Tregubov (OAR, World Championships bronze medallist 2017, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Junior World Champion)
“I feel very good after the first two runs. I do not plan special preparations for tomorrow, just like ahead of every other race. Then we will see what is possible.”
Martins Dukurs (LAT, World Champion 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017)
“The first day was not perfect for me, especially the first run. I have the one or other thing to do and to fix now. The ice is very good and very fast!”
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