Tyler Seitz Wins Silver for Canada
Canada Versus USA Luge Competition at COP
The USA's Tony Benshoof took the Gold at the first Can-Am Senior Luge Race today at Canada Olympic Park with Tyler Seitz, of Calgary, claiming the Silver medal. Adam Heidt, of the USA, took third place.In Women's competition, the U.S. swept the podium with Ashley Hayden, Courtney Zablocki and Brenna Margol finishing first, second and third respectively. Canada's lone senior woman slider, Regan Lauscher, finished fourth in the very tight women's competition just three tenths of a second behind the Gold medalist. Canadian Junior Women Abbie Lovatt and Lindsay Danforth, gained experience sliding at the senior level and finished in fifth and sixth place.
The doubles team of Chris Moffat, and Eric Pothier were on the podium for Canada's second medal of the competition receiving the Bronze in Men's Doubles. Moffat and Pothier were just three tenths of a second behind USA's Chris Thorpe and Clay Ives' Silver medal finish. Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin, of the U.S. were well ahead of the pack winning Doubles Gold. Canada's other doubles team sliding at the senior level, Grant Albrecht and Mike Moffat, finished fourth.
Today's Can-Am Race is hoped to become officially sanctioned by the International Luge Federation next year as an annual North American Luge Championship. Joining the competition as guests were athletes from Italy and Sweden who are in Calgary training for the 35th World Luge Championships, being hosted by Calgary in February 2001.
Next stop for the Canadian and U.S.A Luge Teams is World Cup competition in Europe. The Canadian Senior National Team departs for the six week pre-Christmas World Cup circuit on November 7 from Calgary.
Being a pre-Olympic year, results at the 2000-2001 World Cup tour races and 35th World Championships, being hosted by Calgary, will determine which athletes will slide at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. The Canadian Luge Team, under head coach Marie Luise Rainer, hopes to qualify athletes in all Luge categories.
(Note - all athletes reside in Calgary unless noted otherwise)
For more information or if transmission difficulties contact:
Tim Farstad, CLA-OLTC, 403-247-9884
gsnefgnq@pbqn.no.pn