Canadian Lugers Improve Standings - World Cup Three
The final Senior World Cup race prior to the Christmas break wrapped up today in LaPlagne with Men's singles competition. Results for the Canadian sliders continue to improve overall as they work towards joining Canadian Olympic veteran Tyler Seitz in meeting 2002 Olympic Games qualifying criteria. Chris Moffat was top Canadian in today's race with a 17th place finish. Teammates Mike Moffat, Kyle Connelly and Tyler Seitz finished 22nd, 23rd and 24th respectively. Last season's overall Junior I Champion, Jeff Christie (age 17), now sliding at the Senior level, finished a very respectable 35th out of the field of 50 lugers.Chris Moffat, who also slides doubles with partner Eric Pothier (Airdrie, Alberta) commented, "I had a really solid week of training in both singles and doubles. Unfortunately I missed adding another Olympic qualifier in both doubles and singles by one place. This was due to little mistakes that will be resolved with increased consistency. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Christmas break for some well needed rest and to prepare for the balance of the season."
First year senior, Kyle Connelly, jumped from last week's 36th place finish at World Cup Two, in Oberhof, to 23rd place at World Cup Three. "It was a good finish to the pre-Christmas tour but I'm still working towards Olympic qualification," reported Connelly.
Winning Gold was last year's overall point leader, Armin Zoggeler of Italy. Germany's Georg Hackl won Silver and Markus Prock, of Austria, took the Bronze.
At the Junior World Cup in Konigssee, Germany, Canada's youngest national team slider Meaghan Simister (age 14) broke into the top 10 in Junior I Women's competition in just her second Junior World Cup race. Simister finished in ninth place with Germany's Heike Kobylka wining Gold, Julie Clukey (USA) Silver and Vika Gatker (USA) Bronze.
Canada's Senior National Team is now headed for a week of training in Lake Placid, New York, site of World Cup Seven in February. The Junior team is in Oberhof, Germany, for next weekend's final Junior World Cup race of the pre-Christmas tour.
All Canadian athletes are from Calgary unless noted otherwise.
For more information or if transmission difficulties contact:
Tim Farstad, CLA-OLTC, 403-247-9884 tfarstad@coda.ab.ca
Web site: www.luge.ca