|
Noelle Pikus-Pace
- Won the 2007 World Skeleton Championships in dominating fashion, laying down the four fastest runs and breaking the St. Moritz track record
- Became the first U.S. woman to win the overall World Cup title (2005) and the World Championship title (2007)
- Suffered a compound fracture in her lower right leg in Oct. 2005 during a freak accident at a track in Canada, when she was hit by a runaway four-man bobsled
- She made a valliant comeback effort, competing just seven weeks after the accident, but fell short of qualifying for the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team
- “I’m feeling great and I want to stay positive. This is not the end and I’m looking forward to coming back,” said Noelle after the accident from her hospital room. “All things happen for a reason and I’m still smiling."
- Earned a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships
- Won three gold medals, two silver and a bronze during the 2004-2005 World Cup
- Finished the 2003-2004 World Cup ranked 14th in the world – “I’m just learning how to compete, relax and pull it together on race day. Skeleton is a bottle of nerves. I’ve tried to prepare myself mentally, and I guess it’s worked.”
- Originally came to the sport as a bobsledder but switched to skeleton – “I didn’t want to try skeleton, and I was kind of bummed about it,” she said. “I didn’t even know what skeleton was. But I picked it up quickly and learned the thrill of it.”
- Married Jason Pace, the boy-next-door, in 2001 – “It’s very hard being away from my husband,” Pikus-Pace said. “I don’t see him for five or six weeks at a time. I’m counting down the hours until I get to see him again.”
- Competed in track and field at Utah Valley State College, where she graduated on time from Utah Valley State College even with her busy World Cup schedule
Noelle suffered a compound fracture of her lower right leg, as both her tibia and fibula were broken, when she was hit by a four-man bobsled at the Calgary Olympic Park in Calgary, Canada while in the out run of the track. A successful surgery was completed on her right leg and a titanium rod was inserted to support the bones during the healing process. She returned to competition just seven weeks after surgery.
“Everyday when I was at physical therapy I pushed it a little bit harder with my physical therapist by my side. I could not have gotten to where I am now without my family along with the positive environment, which really sped things up. As each day went by I said to myself that tomorrow can be a little bit better and this can and it will happen (the comeback). At first expectations were for me to come back at Konigssee, Germany in mid January in the doctor’s eyes. As each week went by things started to progress faster. As things moved along I thought about looking into December and I did not want to go straight to Sigulda. This was my goal since I started rehab to get to Igls. This is just really good to be here. I have achieved this goal and one little part of the journey so I’m just going to keep moving forward.”
Related Links
Photo Gallery: Noelle Pikus-Pace
Athlete Spotlight: Noelle Pikus-Pace
Press Release: Pikus-Pace begins long road to recovery
“When I came around the finish, my eyes filled with tears because of the journey it took me to get here, both mentally and physically,” Noelle Pikus-Pace said after winning the 2007 World Skeleton Championships. “Fifteen months ago I broke my leg, and then I missed the Olympics. It’s been a long journey back, and now I won World Championships. Words can’t express how I feel.”
|
Height: 5’ 10”
Born: 12/8/1982
Hometown: Provo, Utah
Resides: Orem, Utah
Sport: Skelton
|
|
|
