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Rohbock and Fleming Claim Third Consecutive World Cup Silver Medal
By Amanda Bird // US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation // February 20, 2007
Winterberg, Germany—Shauna Rohbock (Orem, Utah) and Valerie Fleming (Foster City, Calif.) refused a sweep of the medals by the Germans on their home territory by claiming silver at today’s women’s bobsled World Cup event in Winterberg, Germany.
“I’m very happy with Shauna’s performance today,” women’s bobsled head coach Sepp Plozza said. “I did not have much confidence coming into the race because training all week has been on and off, but race day is always different.”
Germans Sandra Kiriasis and Cathleen Martini were in a three-way tie with Rohbock for first in overall World Cup points entering today’s race. With only one event remaining, today was more than a battle for the medals, but a fierce competition for rights to the overall title.
Kiriasis dominated her home track with brakewoman Romy Logsch, crushing the track record on her first run with a 57.92. Finishing with a combined time of 1:55.90 after a second heat of 57.98, Kiriasis claimed her fourth consecutive gold medal and moved into the overall lead in World Cup standings.
“It’s really, really tough to beat Sandra,” Plozza said. “She has a lot of experience here in Winterberg, her push is very good, and she has the whole package that works very well.”
Rohbock and Fleming had a first run time of 58.26, third fastest in the heat. Martini and brakewoman Janine Tischer had a first run of 58.18, only 0.08 seconds ahead of the Americans leading into the second heat.
Martini could not maintain her second place position, falling into third with a combined time of 1:56.56 after a second run of 58.38. Rohbock stole back time lost in the first heat, finishing ahead of Martini for the silver medal with a second run time of 58.27 for a total of 1:56.53. Silver and bronze were separated by only 0.03 seconds.
“It was good that Shauna was ahead of Martini today, because we’re still in the game for the overall title,” Plozza said.
After today’s race, Kiriasis has 630 points in overall World Cup standings, only ten points ahead of the Americans. Rohbock is in second with 620 points, while Martini is in third with 610.
“I joke that it would be great if next week Martini was first, Shauna was second, and Kiriasis was third, because we would finish for the first time with a three-way tie for the overall title,” Plozza said. “It is great that we have three sleds so competitive with each other, and the door is open now for the title.”
The final World Cup event will be held next weekend on Feb. 24 in Königssee, Germany, where the overall World Cup title will be determined between the two German sleds and the American team of Rohbock and Fleming.
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