LA PLAGNE, France – Canada’s Mellisa Hollingsworth ended a two-year victory drought on the World Cup skeleton circuit with a gold medal on Saturday.
Americans Annie O’Shea and Katie Uhlaender took the silver and bronze medals.
Hollingsworth had the fastest time in each of the two runs, finishing in a combined two minutes 6.09 seconds. O’Shea was 0.37 seconds back, Uhlaender another 0.18 seconds off the Canadian’s pace.
Hollingsworth’s last victory came during the 2010 Olympic year in Konigssee, Germany.
“It was a good one and first in a long time so I’m really happy,” said Hollingsworth, who hadn’t raced in La Plagne since the last time the World Cup stopped in the French town back in 2000.
“Things have changed so much and I don’t remember anything. It was a really intense week of learning with the team walking the track and watching video which was exhausting so this is nice to win.”
The Eckville, Alt., native drew on her experience of being a rookie on the professional rodeo circuit this summer to help her win in unfamiliar territory in France.
Get daily National news
“I was in a completely different place today and recalled a lot of the challenges I had running Pepi (her horse) this summer,” said Hollingsworth, who was third last week in Igls, Austria.
“I’ve been following the National Finals Rodeo that is going on in Las Vegas right now and I really believe the energy and whole experience in rodeo is what has propelled me this season.”
It was the 29th World Cup podium finish of Hollingsworth’s 17-year career that has includes 83 races on the elite circuit, two Olympic and eight World Championship starts.
In addition to her medals won on the World Cup, Hollingsworth has two Overall World Cup titles, two World Championship medals and an Olympic bronze on her resume.
“If there is one thing I am most proud of in my career it is my consistency of getting on the podium and knowing that I can be in the medals on any type of track,” said Hollingsworth.
“I’m not a monster on the push. Today I was sixth fastest so I’m average but I really feel confident in my equipment and that is important. It is so hard to win out here. Anytime you are in the top-six you should be happy because the field is so deep.”
Calgary’s Sarah Reid finished in eighth place at 2:07.25, while Amy Gough, of Abbotsford, B.C., placed 12th with a time of 2:07.81.
Uhlaender was making her season debut on the World Cup circuit. She missed the opening race while trying to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics in weightlifting.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.