Canada’s Lyndon Rush Snowed-In at 15 on Gnarly Track at Bobsleigh World Cup in Altenberg
ALTENBERG, Ger.—Lyndon Rush’s crew pushed like champions, but the pilot of the lone Canadian sled was forced to settle for a 15th-place result on the most challenging track in the world in the four-man Bobsleigh World Cup race in Altenberg, Germany on Sunday.Rush’s crew of Calgary’s Chris LeBihan, Rob Gray of North Delta, B.C., and Edmonton’s Adam Rosenke, clocked the fourth-fastest start time in the opening heat, of what was to be a two-run race, until it was called for snow.
The 28-year-old pilot, of Humboldt, Sask., made some critical mistakes which cost him loads of time on an already slow and snowy track.
“I absolutely blew it in the first heat and I told my crew I will never let that happen again,” said Rush, who was stewing in the team van after the race where he posted a time of 57.57 seconds. “I absolutely nailed this track all week in training and maybe I got a bit cocky today. There is zero excuses and I can’t stop thinking about what could have been.”
Driving in just his sophomore season on the World Cup, Rush admits there is no margin for error if he wants to contend with the best.
“I think every run has to be very good to compete out here,” said Rush who was fired up about the Altenberg venue. “This track has everything from wide straight-aways to abrupt corners. It is gnarly, but it is the best in the world.”
Despite slowly creeping up into the standings after his second run, officials called off the race after 16 of the 20 sleds that advanced to the second heat had gone down to the track due to heavy snow.
Taking just the first run times to decide the winner, it was Germany’s Karl Angerer who finished on top in the snow-shortened event. Angerer and his crew of Andreas Udvari, Matej Juhart and Gregor Bermbach, drove the Germany 3 sled to a time of 56.58.
The legendary Andre Lange was forced to settle for a tie for the silver medal with Russia’s Alexsandr Zubkov at 56.77. Lange was joined in his sled with Alexander Roediger, Kevin Kuske and Martin Putze. Russia’s Alexsandr Zubkov piloted the Russia 1 sled to the podium for the second straight week with his crew of Roman Oreshnikov, Dmitry Trunekov, and Dmitry Stepushkin, rounded out the podium in third at
Canada’s bobsleigh and skeleton athletes now head to Igls, Austria, to compete in the third World Cup of the season, December 12-14, 2008.
For more information on Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, please visit us at www.bobsleigh.ca on the Internet.
Top-Five Men’s Four-Man Bobsleigh Results: complete results www.fibt.com
1.Angerer/Udvari/Juhart/Bermbach, GER 3, 56.58; T2. Lange/Roediger/Kruske/Putze, GER 1, 56.77; T2.
Zubkov/Oreshnikov/Truenkov/Stepushkin, RUS 1, 56.77; 4. Minins/Dneiskens/Melbardis/Dambis, LAT 1, 56.86; 5. Maskalans/Podnieks/Broks/Rozitis, LAT 2, 56.95
Canadian Results:
15. Rush, Humboldt, Sask./Gray, North Delta, B.C./LeBihan, Calgary/Rosenke, Edmonton, 57.57
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton
T: 281-703-4394