World Cup Women’s Skeleton run 2

As seen in the previous post, I started out run 2 of the BMW IBSF World Cup women’s skeleton at the start of the track. After the second competitor left the start area, I walked down the track to get some pictures of the competitors from other viewing locations before settling down to photograph the finish area. I missed two of the women in this second and final heat: Marina Gilardoni (SUI) and Kimberley Bos (NED), who finished 19th and 12th, respectively.

From the spectator side of the start area, you can look directly into the ready room.

The runners of the sleds must be cooled down to ice temperature to ensure a fair race.

For the TV broadcast, the camera operator sits above curve 1 to shoot the start of each run; from here, he can see the entire length of the start grooves from the push block to the first timing interval.

The ice in curve 1 isn’t really a different color; that’s just an effect of the different lighting conditions under the protective shade.

Coaches and race officials need to know the air temperature at the track; they can consult this thermometer at the start area.

There are two timing displays shown here: at left, the clock is for spectators and coaches, showing the time of each run; at top center, a countdown clock tells competitors and race officials how much time each athlete has to start their run.

The bobsled in the pre-start area will be used by forerunners in the bobsled races; it’s just taking up space during the skeleton competition. Outside the shelter, athletes are jogging, stretching, and otherwise warming up prior to their runs, while coaches chat.

A British athlete stands in the start area, about to enter the ready room.

The DeNittos of Wolfeboro, N.H., are guests of USA Bobsled+Skeleton and are posing for a photo outside the ready room. Both DeNitto children are track-and-field athletes; since there are only two tracks for sliding sports in th U.S., USABS typically recruits athletes from track and field, especially sprinters.

Footprint in the ice

Start grooves

Old “Lake Placid” lettering seen at the top of the track; it’s probably more legible out of season, when the ice has melted.

One of the athletes is working on her cleats in the ready room while other women and their coaches prepare in their own ways

After each sled down the track, workers sweep up the loose bits of ice that could interfere with the next racer.

Takako Oguchi (JPN)
20th in second run
20th overall

Yulia Kanakina (RUS)
14th in second run
15th overall

Women’s luge has a separate start house, lower down the track, seen at right

Kendall Wesenberg (USA)
8th in second run
14th overall

Jaclyn Narracott (AUS)
17th in second run
17th overall

Jane Channell (CAN)
won second run
6th overall

Jane Channell (CAN)

Savannah Graybill (USA)
12th in second run
12th overall

Savannah Graybill (USA)

Kim Meylemans (BEL)
15th in second run
12th overall

Russian athlete, maybe Yulia Kanakina?

Jane Channell (CAN) was 13th down the track, but she had the fastest second run of any competitor and finished sixth, so she stayed in the leader’s box for quite a while.

Lelde Priedulena (LAT)
19th in second run
16th overall

Lelde Priedulena (LAT)

Lelde Priedulena (LAT) goes to the leader’s box to congratulate current leader Jane Channell

Tina Hermann (GER)
11th in second run
10th overall

Tina Hermann (GER)

Laura Deas (GBR)
3rd in second run
5th overall

Laura Deas (GBR)

Laura Deas (GBR) takes over the leader’s box

Laura Deas (GBR)

Katie Uhlaender (USA)
7th in second run
9th overall
highest finish for a US athlete

Katie Uhlaender (USA)

Mirela Rahneva (CAN)
5th in second run
7th overall

Mirela Rahneva (CAN) accepts congratulations from the Canadian fans watching the finish

Mirela Rahneva (CAN)

Jane Channell (CAN) hugs teammate Mimi Rahneva

Mirela Rahneva (CAN) congratulates lcurrent eader Laura Deas (GBR)

Athletes and coaches from the German, British, Canadian, American, and Russian teams watch the TV coverage of Lizzy Yarnold’s run on the finish area TV monitor.

Mirela Rahneva (CAN) amidst others in the finish area

Lizzy Yarnold (GBR)
2nd in second run
3rd overall

Lizzy Yarnold (GBR)

Laura Deas (GBR) congratulates teammate Lizzy Yarnold as she takes over the leader’s box

Lizzy Yarnold (GBR)

Laura and Lizzy again

Jacqueline Loelling (GER)
12th in second run
8th overall

Elisabeth Vathje (CAN)
4th in second run
2nd overall

Elisabeth Vathje (CAN) sees from the finish-area scoreboard that she has taken over the lead

Elisabeth Vathje (CAN) is excited!

Jane Channell (CAN) hugs teammate Elisabeth Vathje

Mimi Rahneva congratulates Elisabeth Vathje

Elisabeth Vathje (CAN) is shepherded toward the leader’s box by the IBSF TV staff

Elisabeth Vathje (CAN) in the leader’s box

Elisabeth Vathje (CAN)

Elena Nikitina (RUS)
10th in second run
new start record 5.03s
f4th overall

Elena Nikitina (RUS)

Elena Nikitina (RUS) watching Janine Flock’s run on the TV monitor. Note how the Russian team sponsor is Mercedes-Benz (see the logo on her arm) but because BMW is the global sponsor of the IBSF World Cup, she has to wear a BMW logo more prominently.