Laura Glover Narrowly Misses Podium with Career Best Finish at Junior Luge World Championships in Park City

 PARK CITY, U.S.A.—Laura Glover slid just short of her first career international podium after putting together the best race of her career when it counted most, finishing fifth at the Junior Luge World Championships in Park City, Utah on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Calgarian, who is travelling the junior circuit for the second straight year, clocked two solid runs for a combined time of 1:28.345 down the 11-corner Park City Track to finish fifth.

“Laura really stepped it up this season and she showed it again today,” said Robert Fegg, head coach, Canadian Luge Team. “That result is outstanding, and proof she is heading in the right direction with a bright future in front of her.”

The National Sport School student finished fractions of a second off the podium. Emily Sweeney, of the United States, finished on top at 1:28.121. Two German athletes slid to the silver and bronze medals. Caroline Frelin von Schleinitz was second at 1:28.182, while Natalie Burkhardt was third (1:28.215).

Two other Calgary-based Canadian women slid into the top-15. Jordan Smith had a solid outing, placing ninth at 1:28.612, while Jordyn Carss was 15th (1:29.247). Competing in her first World Championships as a junior, Jenna Spencer of Mount Currie, B.C., placed 17th at 1:29.437.

Two 17-year-old Canadians also slid into the top-15 in men’s singles racing. Calgary’s Mitchel Malyk was the top Canuck in 11th at 1:27.913, while John Fennell slid into 13th with a two-run time of 1:27.942 down the 15-corner men’s track.

“The boys are on a good path for being only 17 years old,” added Coach Fegg. “They have a ways to go on the start and need to continue working on sliding technique, but I am very happy with their performance. It was good day for our team.”

Italy grabbed the top-two spots on the men’s podium. Dominik Firschnaler clocked the fastest overall time of the day to win the gold at 1:27.263, while Emanuel Rieder was second at 1:27.511. Austria’s David Gleirscher snagged the bronze medal with a time of 1:27.525.

The Junior Luge World Championships wrap up on Wednesday in Park City with doubles and the team relay races.

The Canadian Luge Association is a not-for-profit organization governing the sport of luge across the country. With the financial backing of its title sponsor, Fast Track Capital, along with the support from the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium, the Canadian Luge Association safely recruits and develops the nation’s current and future high-performance luge athletes with the goal of regularly climbing onto the international podium. For more information on the Canadian Luge Association, please visit us at www.luge.ca on the Internet.

COMPLETE RESULTS: http://www.usaluge.org/live/liveevent2.php?event=87