Winter Olympics 2010 Vancouver - Shelley Rudman confirms her Skeleton Bobsleigh challenge
Last updated 18/01/2010 08:42:31
Winter Olympics 2010 Vancouver - Shelley Rudman confirms her Skeleton Bobsleigh challenge
Shelley Rudman wins again in St. Moritz to set up final race in Igls
Britain’s Shelley Rudman won her second skeleton bobsleigh Gold medal of the World Cup season with a stunning win in St Moritz, Switzerland as she prepares for the Winter Olympics.
Her win margin was just 0.04 seconds ahead of second placed Canada’s Melissa Hollingsworth, with Germany’s Kerstin Szymkowiak in third and the win ensures the World Cup will go down to its final race to decide the overall victor.
Shelley has clearly taken a liking to the fast St. Moritz course as this was a repeat of her success in St Moritz last year, where she also pipped Hollingsworth for the win.
Rudman was in second place after the first slide, but only 0.09sec behind Hollingsworth and she managed to make up the difference with a track record performance in the second run.
The victory confirms that Rudman is in top form with less than 30 days to go to the Olympic competition in Vancouver, Canada.
Shelley said: “It’s been a great day for us and I am over the moon with the result and my performance. This season has all been about improving every performance to peak ready for the Olympics and things are going well.
“It was a really close race today with Melissa but I know I have more speed if I can nail my starts. I was a bit slow out of the blocks on both runs and will be working on improving this area although I was very pleased with my overall finish times which is where races are won.
“Again the set up of the sled was just right and the support from the Bromley Formula Ice team was spot on. The only disappointment today was seeing Kristan Bromley finish second in his race. It would have been a great end to the week to see two gold’s in the family”
The result reduces the gap between Rudman and overall World Cup standings leader Hollingsworth and the World Cup battle will go to the final round in Igls, Austria next Friday.