Canadian Luge Teams Homeward Bound
Medals & Olympic Qualifications Highlight
Pre-Christmas World Cup Tour
The Canadian Junior National Luge team finished its first World Cup tour of the 2000/2001 season today in Oberhof, Germany. Meaghan Simister, Canada's 14 year old rising star on the junior women's circuit, posted another top-ten finish in Womens Junior I competition. Simister finished seventh in just her third Junior World Cup race with a time of one minute, 27.1 seconds. USA's Julia Cluckey (1:24.770) won gold followed by Heike Kobylka (1:25.127) of Germany and Martina Kocher (1:25.156) of Switzerland.While preparing to return to Calgary for a short holiday break, Simister, commented," I'm fairly pleased with my performance in this race. I put down two clean runs and got a personal best on my second
run, although I still have to improve on my starts. This was a very fun race and awesome track, and I can't wait to race here again. I really enjoyed it!!"
Meanwhile, Canada's Senior team is finishing off a week of training in Lake Placid, New York, site of World Cup 8 in February, 2001.
Highlights of this season's pre-Christmas Junior & Senior World Cup tour were:
- Ian Cockerline, Junior I Mens - 1 Gold; 1 Silver (third place overall Junior I points)
- Sam Edney, Junior I Mens - 1 Silver
- Tyler Seitz, Mens Singles - Qualified for 2002 Olympic Games
- Chris Moffat/Eric Pothier, Mens Doubles - added two Olympic qualifier finishes - just one more needed to qualify Canada's first doubles team for 2002
- Numerous top ten or personal best Junior and Senior World cup finishes for all team members
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
The Junior team will be arriving Calgary International Airport on December 17 at 15:50 MST via Lufthansa flight 6788 - athletes can be met on Arrivals Level Meeting Place C.
The Senior team will be arriving Calgary International Airport on December 17 at 20:23 MST via Air Canada flight 155 - athletes can be met on Arrivals Level Meeting Place A.
All Canadian athletes are from Calgary unlesss otherwise noted.
For more information or if transmission difficulties contact:
Tim Farstad, CLA-OLTC, 403-247-9884 tfarstad@coda.ab.ca
Web site: www.luge.ca