Russia swept the gold medals at a World Cup skeleton race at Mount Van Hoevenberg on Friday, with Elena Nikitina’s winning margin in the women’s race the largest on tour in nearly three years.
Nikitina finished two runs in 1 minute, 49.93 seconds. Germany’s Jacqueline Loelling was second in 1:51.05 and Austria’s Janine Flock was third in 1:51.11.
Nikitina’s 1.12-second margin of victory is enormous for sliding and was the biggest in a World Cup race since Jan. 20, 2017, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, where Canadian Mirela Rahneva topped runner-up Kendall Wesenberg of the U.S. by 1.83 seconds.
Kendall Wesenberg, of the United States, greets fans after her second run of the women's skeleton World Cup race in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Friday, Dec 13, 2019. (AP PhotoHans Pennink)
Rahneva was fourth on Friday, while Wesenberg was the top American and placed fifth.
In the men’s race, Russia’s Alexander Tretiakov won in 1:46.55. Latvia’s Martins Dukurs was second in 1:46.59 and Germany’s Felix Keisinger was third in 1:46.97. Austin Florian was the top U.S. finisher, placing 12th.
Tina Hermann, of Germany, takes a turn during the first run of the women's skeleton World Cup race in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Friday, Dec 13, 2019. (AP PhotoHans Pennink)
Alexander Tretiakov, of Russia, celebrates his first-place finish in the men's skeleton World Cup race with fans in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Friday, Dec 13, 2019. (AP PhotoHans Pennink)
Austin Florian, of the United States, celebrates with fans after his second run of the men's skeleton World Cup race in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Friday, Dec 13, 2019. (AP PhotoHans Pennink)