Josefa Schellmoser wins silver ahead of Sissi Schrödl with bronze
St. Moritz (RWH) Women’s skeleton athlete Anastasiia Tsyganova (RUS) has won gold at the 2020 Youth Winter Olympic Games (YOG) in Lausanne. The 16-year-old recorded the best time during heat two at St. Moritz-Celerina Olympia Bobrun. With a 0.03-second lead over second place, the Russian became the Youth Olympic Champion.
Josefa Schellmoser of Germany, who had a 0.05-second lead at the end of the first run, lost a small amount of time during the second heat. The 16-year-old therefore finished only just behind the Russian athlete to win the silver medal.
The bronze medal in St. Moritz went to Sissi Schroedl (GER, 0.45 seconds back).
After topping the overall standings during the qualification races, one of the medal favourites, Zhao Dan of China, finished seventh in St. Moritz.
Switzerland’s local hero Jill Gander, the daughter of bobsleigh pilot Pius Meyerhans, only just missed out on the YOG podium in St. Moritz in fourth. Her team-mate Emma-Sunshine Burkard came 13th.
Anastasiia Tsyganova (RUS): „I was so nervous before my runs. My training was good but the other girls are so strong. After my second run I sat in the dressing room and did not listen to the results until my coach came and told me I won gold.“
Josefa Schellmoser (GER): “The atmosphere here was amazing with so many people at the track and then, to win a medal as well, is just incredible. I’d like to think positively and say that I’d won silver instead of losing gold. Of course, it's a shame that I made a few mistakes but I can’t change things now, so it’s fine. She deserved the win.”
Sissi Schroedl (GER): “It feels awesome. I had so much fun today. The runs went pretty well. Training didn't go so well, so I was kind of worried. But the coaches kept us calm and said “You can do it.” Your mindset is different during the competition. I was more positive and then it worked out.”
