2006 Lake Placid AIT America's Cup
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Event Story
AIT America’s Cup action gets underway in Lake Placid
John Napier lead a United States domination Thursday of the AIT America’s Cup bobsled and skeleton races by winning the opening two-man bobsled race at the Verizon Sports Complex in Lake Placid. Napier was at the front of a 1-2-3 sweep by the United States on a partly sunny, spring-like day.
Napier, of Schenectady, N.Y., with T.J. Burns, of Emmitsburg, Mary., on the brakes, posted the two fastest times down the 20-curve, mile-long chute. The Americans, with the best push times of the 11-sled field, had finish times of 58.55 and 59.36 seconds for a combined one minute, 57.91 seconds.
“The key to our success is experienced driving and having two brakeman who are inspired to do this sport,” said Napier, 18, who also uses J.P. Davies of Lincoln, Neb. as a brakeman. “They have made a commitment for years to come.” Davies will be on the brakes Friday.
Napier, recognized as the next outstanding U.S. pilot despite his youth, continued to say that his team’s goal here was to win all four America’s Cup events.
“We want to see ourselves up there for the future and let people know we’re coming not only now but for Olympics of the future,” stated Burns.
Grayson Fertig of Oxford, Conn. combined with brakeman Lorenzo Hill of Senoia, Ga. to tie for second with Matt Anderson of Santa Rosa, Calif. and Peter Blumert of Paradise, Calif. The two U.S. sleds recorded identical times of 1:59.33.
Mike Cline of Kent, Wash. captured the men’s skeleton competition with a two-run total of 1:56.56. Cline had the two best runs of the day with clockings of 57.39 and 59.17.
Japan’s Yuuki Nozawa was second in 1:57.44, while Mike Douglas of Canada placed third in 1:57.76.
Canadian Tasha Ellison prevented a U.S. gold medal sweep by winning the women’s skeleton event, although ironically, Ellison was born in Albuquerque, N.M. The 35-year old sculptor has been living and training in Calgary, Alberta, Canada pursuing a skeleton career and has dual citizenship.
Ellison overcame sluggish start times with superior driving. She had times of 58.03 and 1:00.68 for an aggregate time of 1:58.71. Jody Barton of Washingtonville, N.Y. was second in 1:59.93 and Felicia Canfield of Kaysville, Utah was right behind at 1:59.94.
The AIT America’s Cup continues Friday with more skeleton and two-man bobsled races beginning at 8 am. The weekend action offers four-man bobsledding on Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 am.
