USA Bobsled and Skeleton

Contact: Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager
(518) 354-2250, abird@usbsf.com

Fenlator and Werth lead U.S. team with career best finish

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (Jan. 20, 2012)–The women’s bobsled World Cup competition in St. Moritz wrapped up just before increasing snowfall could hamper results.  Jazmine Fenlator (Wayne, N.J.) and brakeman Hillary Werth (Springfield, Ill.) led the U.S. contingency with a career best eighth place finish.

“Jazmine did a great job,” said Todd Hays, women’s bobsled head coach.  “She put it together today and this was a real breakthrough.  Success always starts with one good race, so maybe she made her jump today.  I’m really excited for her future.”

Fenlator had yet to crack into the top 10 on the World Cup circuit and tapped Werth’s helmet in celebration after crossing the finish line in ninth position after the first heat.  Fenlator upped the ante in the second run and piloted the sixth fastest run of the second heat to move the team up one position into eighth with a combined time of 2:18.98.

Werth suffered an injury earlier this season during Europa Cup training in Koenigssee, Germany and fought her way back second half.  The talented rookie made her World Cup debut today and helped push Fenlator to respectable starts of 5.74 and 5.77 seconds.

“This is a great group of rookie athletes,” Hays said.  “They are working hard as a team and they are equally good across the board.  Today Hillary had her opportunity to show what she’s made of.  She took advantage of it and produced a big result.”

The Germans finished 1-2-3 to sweep the podium for the first time this season.   Anja Schneiderheinze and Lisette Thöne took the lead with a combined time of 2:17.84. Cathleen Martini and Janine Tischer were just 0.09 seconds from their teammates to claim silver, while Sandra Kiriasis and Franziska Bertels slid a bronze medal performance with a cumulative time of 2:18.05.

Elana Meyers (Douglasville, Ga.) and Emily Azevedo (Chico, Calif.) were awarded for setting the start record in both heats by powering the KOA sled off the block in 5.64 and 5.63 seconds. Rookie pilots Meyers and Fenlator battled for position, and a few minor driving errors by Meyers left a big enough gap for USA-3 to edge USA-1 out of eighth.  Meyers and Azevedo finished 0.22 seconds from their teammates in ninth with an aggregate time of 2:19.20.

Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Wash.) has struggled to match her driving to the tempo of the track this season and had mixed runs today.  Schaaf and brakeman Katie Eberling (Palos Hills, Ill.) teamed together in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure sled for 14th position with a two-run total of 2:19.87. USA-2 was only in 16th position after the back end of the sled skid from Schaaf’s control during the first run.  Schaaf found her rhythm on the natural course and was able to move up two spots after clocking one of the fastest speeds of the second heat.

Competition continues with men’s skeleton and two-man bobsled. Watch the St. Moritz events LIVE by visiting www.fibt.com.  Universal Sports will also broadcast the events with commentary and interviews on one-week delay.  Programs will air Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 6 pm EST.   

For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at abird@usbsf.com, or at (518) 354-2250. 

Results:
1. Anja Schneiderheinze and Lisette Thöne (GER) 2:17.84 (1:09.31, 1:08.53); 2. Cathleen Martini and Janine Tischer (GER) 2:17.93 (1:09.30, 1:08.63); 3. Sandra Kiriasis and Franziska Bertels (GER) 2:18.05 (1:09.46, 1:08.59);…8. Jazmine Fenlator and Hillary Werth (USA) 2:18.98 (1:09.88, 1:09.10); 9. Elana Meyers and Emily Azevedo (USA) 2:19.20 (1:09.79, 1:09.41);…14. Bree Schaaf and Katie Eberling (USA) 2:19.87 (1:10.48, 1:09.39);

About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: BMW of North America, Under Armour, United States National Guard, Kampgrounds of America, National Strength and Conditioning Association, Vivat!, Global Forwarding, KBC Helmets, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, EDAS/Ripxx, UberSense, Tesa Tape and Ferris Mfg. Corp. For more information, please visit the USBSF website at http://bobsled.teamusa.org.

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