Women’s bobsled athletes will race in Cortina on Friday, Jan. 12, beginning at 10:30 CET (UTC +1), which is 4:30 a.m. EST. Seeking to improve a bronze medal finish in Cortina last season will be driver Shauna Rohbock (Orem, Utah) and brakewoman Valerie Fleming (Foster City, Calif.). Rohbock is currently ranked first out of thirteen sleds in overall standings, winning the first two World Cup races in Calgary, Alberta and Park City, Utah, and claiming the bronze in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Men’s bobsled two-man competition will take place in Cortina on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 9:00 CET. Representing the U.S. will be Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah) and brakeman Brock Kreitzburg (Akron, Ohio). Holcomb is currently ranked second out of twenty-two sleds in overall two-man standings after winning three silver medals in the first three World Cup competitions.

Four-man competition is on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 9:00 CET. Holcomb, currently ranked fifth in four-man overall standings, will be competing with teammates Kreitzburg, Steve Mesler (Calgary, Alberta), and Pavle Jovanovic (Tom’s River, N.J.).

For live, in-race results of the bobsled races, visit www.bobsleigh.com, the Web site of the Fédération International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganning (FIBT). Coverage from the Cortina World Cup will be televised on SPEED Channel on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 14 and 15, at 1 p.m. EST, and on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 12-1 p.m. EST.

Skeleton athletes will be racing in Nagano, Japan on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 9:00 JST (UTC+9), which is 7:00 p.m EST on Friday. The women will open the competition with the men immediately following.

For the women, recently named 2007 National Champion Katie Uhlaender (Breckenridge, Colo.) will seek to continue her gold medal streak after winning three gold medals in the first three World Cup competitions. 2005 World Cup Champion Noelle Pikus-Pace (Orem, Utah) is currently ranked third in overall standings, and will be vying to add to her bronze and silver medal performances in Calgary, Alberta and Lake Placid, N.Y. respectively. Also representing the U.S. will be Bree Schaaf-Boyer (Bremerton, Wash.) and Courtney Yamada (Boise, Idaho), who both finished the first half of the season ranked in the top ten overall standings.

On the men’s side, current World Cup leader Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah) will try to extend his lead by adding to his two gold medal performances in Park City, Utah and Lake Placid, N.Y. Recently named 2007 National Champion Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.), ranked fourth in overall standings, will be striving for a podium finish to add to his bronze medal in Lake Placid, N.Y. Also representing the U.S. will be Chris Hedquist (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.), who both completed the first half the season with an impressive top ten overall standing.

The media and fans alike can stay informed on all the World Cup action by visiting the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation’s Web site. Found at www.usbsf.com, the Web site offers current news, athlete biographies, a downloadable 2006-07 media guide and other information.