“Sporadic snow showers made the race a little hit or miss actually,” U.S. skeleton team assistant coach Greg Sands said.  “Katie’s first push was definitely affected by the snow.”

Despite a seventh best push in the first heat due to snowy conditions, Uhlaender’s first run time of 57.16 placed her in third position.  Four-hundredths of a second ahead of her was teammate Yamada, with a first heat time of 57.12.

Both Americans were chasing Australian Michelle Steele, who finished the first run in 56.95, more than one-tenth ahead of the U.S. competitors. 

Americans Pikus-Pace and Bree Schaaf-Boyer (Bremerton, Wash.) were in ninth and fourteenth position after the first heat respectively.

Uhlaender had little problem with the snow on her second run, crossing the finish line four-tenths ahead of the field with a 57.07 for a combined time of 1:54.23, moving her into the lead.  Yamada had identical starts in both heats of 5.29, finishing with a 57.47 in the second heat for a total time of 1:54.59.  Although her second heat was over 0.11 faster than the Australian, Steele was able to maintain her lead on Yamada, finishing in second with a combined time of 1:54.51. 

Pikus-Pace climbed three positions in the second run with time of 57.59, fourth best of the heat.  Finishing in sixth with a combined time of 1:55.27, Pikus-Pace was satisfied with her result.

“I haven’t felt the same since I broke my leg (early last season),” Pikus-Pace said.  “So much of any sport is mental and when you lose track of the mental edge, it is very hard to stay focused and be competitive.”

“The Japanese people have been generous and accommodating,” she said.  “It has been a lot of fun to travel here, see their culture and slide on this very unique track.”

Finishing in twelfth with a combined time of 1:57.02 (58.36, 58.66) was Schaaf-Boyer, who continues to rehab a sprained ankle suffered after the World Cup race in Lake Placid, N.Y.

“Nagano did a wonderful job hosting this World Cup race,” Sands said.  “The athletes were awesome and head coach Orvie Garrett and I are very proud of the team.”

The team will travel to Igls, Austria tomorrow for the next stop on the World Cup tour.

For complete results of today’s race, please visit www.bobsleigh.com, the Web site of the Fédération International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganning (FIBT).

Results:

1. Katie Uhlaender (USA) 1:54.23 (57.16, 57.07); 2. Michelle Steele (AUS) 1:54.51 (56.95, 57.56); 3. Courtney Yamada (USA) 1:54.59 (57.12, 57.47); 4. Sara Reid (CAN) 1:54.97 (57.29, 57.68); 5. Amy Gough (CAN) 1:55.25 (57.26, 57.99); 6. Noelle Pikus-Pace (USA) 1:55.27 (57.68, 57.59);…12. Bree Schaaf-Boyer (USA) 1:57.02 (58.36, 58.66);