For Immediate Release:

Thursday, December 8, 2005

Contact: Tom LaDue

Public and Media Relations Director

United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

(518) 523-1842 ext. 106

Igls, Austria – The American team was once again on top of the medal podium at the third stop of the FIBT World Cup Men’s Skeleton race in Igls, Austria. Just like the last stop in Lake Placid, New York where two American’s took home medals, once again two medals were claimed by the United States. This time Kevin Ellis (Dallas, TX) took home the silver, while his teammate and 2002 & 2004 America’s Cup Champion Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, UT) took bronze.

The gold medal would go to Gregor Staehli from Switzerland. The victory was also the fourth consecutive for Staehli on the 1976 Olympic track. Staehli had a first run of 53.52, the fastest of the competition, and a second run of 53.99 for a combined time of 1:47.51. Staehli’s victory also gave him the overall World Cup points led over American Zach Lund 265 to 250. Taking the silver, .46 seconds behind Staehli, was Kevin Ellis from the United States. Ellis started his first run by setting a new start record of 4.84 (previous record was 4.85 by Alexander Tretiakov of Russia last season) only too see it be beaten by Tretiakov a few sleds later when he put down a 4.83. Ellis would have a first run of 53.86 and a second run of 54.11, after a push of 4.85, for a combined time of 1:47.97. The bronze would go to Zach Lund also from the United States. Lund was in fifth after a first run of 53.95, but put down a 54.19 in run two to move up and claim the bronze with a combined time of 1:48.14. The third place finish also kept Zach’s streak of medaling in every race in tact as he now has collected three medals in three races (1 silver & 2 bronze).

Rounding out the top six were: 2002 Olympic Silver Medalist Martin Rettl from Austria, in fourth, with a time of 1:48.16 (54.03, 54.13); Markus Penz from Austria, in fifth, with a time of 1:48.27 (53.89, 54.38) and reigning World Cup and World Champion Jeff Pain from Canada in sixth, with a time of 1:48.50 (53.89, 54.61).

Also competing for the United States: three-time Verizon National Champion Eric Bernotas (Avondale, PA) in eleventh, with a time of 1:48.86 (54.34,54.52) and 2003 World Cup Champion Chris Soule (Trumbull, CT) in twelfth, with a time of 1:49.01 (54.28, 54.73).

When asked about the results United States Skeleton Head Coach Tim Nardiello replied, “Fantastic results for the guys. Kevin Ellis did a great job and he has been improving each day of practice and put it all together for the race. Kevin is someone that you will now have to look out for. Zach (Lund) seems to be stuck in the bronze medal groove now and another great result for him. He continues to improve each race as well. As a whole the team is looking solid in first place in the world cup team standings and we are looking forward to a great women’s race tomorrow.”

The men’s overall top ten World Cup standings: Gregor Staehli, Switzerland – 265 points; Zach Lund, United States – 250 points; Jeff Pain, Canada - 210 points; Kevin Ellis, United States – 200 points; Eric Bernotas, United States – 194 points; Paul Boehm, Canada - 178 points; Markus Penz, Austria - 154 points; Kristan Bromley, Great Britain - 149 points; Ben Sanford, New Zealand - 125 points and Martin Rettl, Austria – 119 points.

Up next on the FIBT AIT Skeleton World Cup Tour is the women’s race scheduled for tomorrow.

+++

USBSF would like to thank its premier sponsor, Verizon Communications

and additional sponsors, AIT Worldwide Logistics, Allianz Life, Karbon.

USBSF suppliers: CW-X, Duofold, The Goodwin Law Firm PLLC.,

The Hilton Family of Hotels, KBC Helmets, Luminox, SportsMark, Swany,

Timberland, and Vulcan Lead.

Please visit www.usbsf.com for our online store, biographical information, race results, season schedules and more.