“This was a really nice week in St. Moritz, because everyone was working together, including the men’s team and all of the coaches,” U.S. women’s bobsled head coach Sepp Plozza said. “For us it’s great to have a medal and a second sled in the top eight. Shauna did fantastic, and for Erin to know she is one of the top eight drivers in the world is incredible.”

Only one-hundredth of a second separated Rohbock, who entered today in fourth, and home track contender Maya Bamert in third. It was a fierce competition for the podium.

Neither team could widen the gap to claim the bronze in the third run as Rohbock finished with a 1:09.24 and Bamert with a 1:09.23, keeping the teams within two-hundredths of second from each other. The bronze medal came down to the fourth and final heat of the race.

“I was a little disappointed after the first heat today,” Rohbock said. “I didn’t think the run was bad, so I was confused when we finished and saw that the time I needed wasn’t there. I was frustrated.”

Rohbock and Fleming proved their strength after pushing a 5.67, and Rohbock drove her fastest run yet with a 1:08.90, third best in the heat, for a combined time of 4:36.27.

“In the fourth run, I knew I couldn’t make any mistakes, because Maya was only two-hundredths ahead of me,” Robock said. “It felt like a good run, but all I could do was wait for everyone else to finish after me and see if they made any mistakes.”

Bamert could not respond, finishing her final heat in 1:09.24, falling back two places into fifth for a combined time of 4:36.59.

Reigning Olympic and World Champion Sandra Kiriasis from Germany dominated the race with the four fastest runs in all four heats of the race. Sliding to victory with brakewoman Romy Logsch, Kiriasis claimed the title with a combined time of 4:33.84, over two seconds ahead of the field.

Taking silver was the second German team of Cathleen Martini and Janine Tischer with a combined time of 4:35.89.

The second U.S. sled of Pac and Azevedo finished eighth today after runs of 1:09.72 and 1:09.65 for a combined time of 4:38.13.

“This is my first-ever World Championship race, because I didn’t compete in one as a brakewoman,” Pac said. “I raced in the team event Thursday, and I was more nervous about that than I was today. I think I was able to get my nerves out yesterday, and I treated this competition as a learning experience.”

Pac began driving last season after competing as a brakewoman for three years, demonstrating her strength in the driver’s seat by claiming gold, three silver and a bronze medal while competing on the America’s Cup circuit this season.

“This is the U.S. team’s sixth medal at World Championships and Steve Holcomb and his four-man crew are in position to win the seventh tomorrow,” U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Executive Director Terry Kent said. “I’m so impressed with what our team has accomplished this year. The athletes and the coaches have done a fantastic job.”

The women’s bobsled World Championship race will be televised nationally on SPEED Channel today, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. EST. For complete results of today’s race, visit www.bobsleigh.com, the Web site of the Fédération International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganning (FIBT).