Hallie Clarke Slides to Sixth at Skeleton World Cup in Norway
LILLEHAMMER, Nor.—Hallie Clarke continued her consistent start to the Skeleton World Cup season, sliding to a second-straight sixth-place finish in Lillehammer, Norway on Friday.
“I’m happy with the consistency I’ve had across the races now, especially with an unexpected break after Cortina,” said the 21-year-old Clarke. “I had some ups and downs in training, but I’m really proud of how I collected myself mentally for the race. I’m gaining more confidence and momentum as the season continues.”
Clarke brought her top form on race day, opening with a personal best down time on the 16-corner chute that played host to the 1994 Olympics in 52.38. Sitting in fifth place after her first decent, the Brighton, Ont. talent dropped one spot in the standings after the top 20 sleds completed the final heat.
“I really like the track here. There are a lot of sections that you can let the sled run, but also a few technical spots,” said Clarke, who felt comfortable at the Lillehammer Olympic Sliding Centre. “It reminds me of Calgary – the track I learned to slide on. I think it offers a nice mix that plays to my strengths.”
Clarke, who is the only skeleton athlete to ever hold both the senior and junior World Championship titles at the same time, finished .59 seconds off the golden pace set by Austria’s Janine Flock (1:44.31). Tabitha Stoecker, of Great Britain, slid to the silver-medal position with a time of 1:44.49. Belgium’s Kim Meylemans rounded out the women’s podium with a time of 1:44.56.
Two-time Olympian and the leader of the young National Skeleton Program, Jane Channell, struggled to find her best stuff in her first time taking on the 1,365-metre track where she placed 19th overall.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty disappointed in my performance today,” said Channell. “It was my first race ever here – you win some and you lose some. Onwards and upwards as we head over to Sigulda for a double race there.”
The North Vancouver resident, who has played a critical role in mentoring Clarke and other head-first sliders developing through the Canadian pathway, was in 16th spot on Friday after the opening set of runs.
Chalking up seventh-fastest start times in both runs, Channell dropped into 19th after a challenging second trip down the Norwegian track, finishing with an overall time of 1:45.79.
The World Cup continues on Saturday in Norway with the men’s and women’s bobsleigh races.