Delaney: Hamlin World Cup-best finish in Norway
Remsen's Erin Hamlin had her luge World Cup series best finish Sunday in Lillehammer, Norway. She finished third and earned a bronze medal in the final race of the fall. Hamlin's medal was the first for a U.S. woman in a World Cup event since 2005 when Ashley Walden won a bronze in Winterberg, Germany.
The World Cup series will take two weeks off for the holidays before resuming Jan. 2-3 in Koenigssee, Germany.
Hamlin, who completed qualification for the U.S. Olympic team last week (Dec. 6), wrapped up the first half of the season in very good shape. Her finish in Lillehammer bumped her up to fourth place in the season standings.
"It's a nice way to end the first half," Hamlin said, quoted in by The Associated Press. "Obviously it would have been very cool and continue after my first run and be first, but I'm definitely not disappointed with a third place. I have been sliding really well all week, so it's nice to cap it off with a good race."
Hamlin had not raced in Lillehammer - on the track that hosted the 1994 Winter Olympic luge competition - since the 2004-2005 season. She was second that year as a junior slider. Despite the unfamiliarity with the track, Hamlin was in first place after the first run with a time of 48.791 seconds. Hamlin's two-run time was 1-minute, 37.616 seconds.
World Cup series points leader Tatjana Hufner of Germany was third after the first run but came up with the fastest second run (48.723) to win.
Hamlin qualified for her second Olympic team last week, and was the first U.S. slider to do so. The rest of the 10-man team is beginning to take shape. Other athletes securing nominations: Tony Benshoff, Bengt Walden and Chris Mazdzer in men's singles; Julia Clukey win women's singles; and the doubles team of Christian Niccum and Dan Joye.
Three women's singles sliders, three men and two doubles teams will compete in Vancouver in February.
Men's doubles Olympic silver and bronze medalists Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin will race off against Matt Mortensen and Preson Griffall for the final doubles slot. Kate Hansen, and sisters Megan and Emily Sweeney will race off for the final women's slot. Clukey, who sustained a neck injury during training earlier this month, was selected on coaches' discretion.
The race-offs are Tuesday night or Wednesday morning in Lillehammer.
The World Cup series will take two weeks off for the holidays before resuming Jan. 2-3 in Koenigssee, Germany.
Hamlin, who completed qualification for the U.S. Olympic team last week (Dec. 6), wrapped up the first half of the season in very good shape. Her finish in Lillehammer bumped her up to fourth place in the season standings.
"It's a nice way to end the first half," Hamlin said, quoted in by The Associated Press. "Obviously it would have been very cool and continue after my first run and be first, but I'm definitely not disappointed with a third place. I have been sliding really well all week, so it's nice to cap it off with a good race."
Hamlin had not raced in Lillehammer - on the track that hosted the 1994 Winter Olympic luge competition - since the 2004-2005 season. She was second that year as a junior slider. Despite the unfamiliarity with the track, Hamlin was in first place after the first run with a time of 48.791 seconds. Hamlin's two-run time was 1-minute, 37.616 seconds.
World Cup series points leader Tatjana Hufner of Germany was third after the first run but came up with the fastest second run (48.723) to win.
Hamlin qualified for her second Olympic team last week, and was the first U.S. slider to do so. The rest of the 10-man team is beginning to take shape. Other athletes securing nominations: Tony Benshoff, Bengt Walden and Chris Mazdzer in men's singles; Julia Clukey win women's singles; and the doubles team of Christian Niccum and Dan Joye.
Three women's singles sliders, three men and two doubles teams will compete in Vancouver in February.
Men's doubles Olympic silver and bronze medalists Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin will race off against Matt Mortensen and Preson Griffall for the final doubles slot. Kate Hansen, and sisters Megan and Emily Sweeney will race off for the final women's slot. Clukey, who sustained a neck injury during training earlier this month, was selected on coaches' discretion.
The race-offs are Tuesday night or Wednesday morning in Lillehammer.
posted by Anne Delaney at
8:04 PM
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