Rose McGrandle followed up her victory last week in Lillehammer with a second place finish in the first of two Intercontinental Cup (ICC) skeleton races this weekend in Königssee, Germany. ...Â
McGrandle completed her two runs this morning in an overall time of 1:46.32 (53.51 & 52.81) to finish 0.16 seconds off first place.
Following the race, McGrandle said: “I was happy with today, especially my second run. I had a good exit from kreisel [a corner on the track] and felt the extra speed at the bottom of the track. I'm feeling confident and looking forward to the next race tomorrow”.
Donna Creighton also performed well as she finished in sixth place with an overall time of 1:47.77. Both of these British Skeleton athletes are are battling for the final World Cup quota slot for Britain to join Olympic Champion Lizzy Yarnold and already-selected Laura Deas.
Ed Smith, after a solid performance in Lillehammer last week, recorded another top 10 finish in Königssee as he placed ninth in a time of 1:43.81. His teammate in the men's squad, David Swift, finished 16th in 1:45.26.
Smith said: “I'm very pleased with my performance today - not because of the result, but because of the amount of progress I've made here this week. I used to have a troubled relationship with this track, but I've come back this week with some great coaching and a new mindset. I'm enjoying sliding here and ready for another chance to learn more tomorrow”.
ICC Coach, Chris Type, was also pleased with the opening day in Königssee, saying: “Today was a solid start to the races here, particularly in such a strong field of competitors. One of the standout performances today was Rose - her second run was the fastest of the day in the ladies' racing, and helped to earn her a well deserved second place”.
The ICC continues with a second race in Königssee and Britain's Europa Cup results and race reports are due later.
RESULTS - INTERCONTINENTAL & EUROPA CUP, KONIGSSEE, GERMANY
INTERCONTINENTAL CUP
RACE 1
WOMEN
|
Name
|
Start Time
|
Down Time
|
Top Speed km/h
|
Overall Time
|
|
2. Rose McGrandle
|
5.09
|
53.51
|
109.42
|
Â
|
|
Â
|
5.30
|
52.81
|
111.45
|
1:46.32 (+0.16)
|
|
6. Donna Creighton
|
5.06
|
54.13
|
108.54
|
Â
|
|
Â
|
5.09
|
53.64
|
108.54
|
1:47.77 (+1.61)
|
 MEN
|
Name
|
Start Time
|
Down Time
|
Top Speed km/h
|
Overall Time
|
|
9. Ed Smith
|
4.83
|
51.84
|
113.92
|
Â
|
|
Â
|
4.82
|
51.97
|
113.80
|
1:43.81 (+1.51)
|
|
16. David Swift
|
4.69
|
52.52
|
109.97
|
Â
|
|
Â
|
4.71
|
52.74
|
108.76
|
1:45.26 (+2.96)
|