Martini and Rogsch Take World Cup Opener

PARK CITY, Utah  -- Cathleen Martini and Romy Logsch, made their World Cup debut in the same sled and the result was a pair of the fastest times Friday night and a German victory in the Intersport FIBT Women’s Bobsleigh season opener at Utah Olympic Park.

Martini,  second ranked last season in the World Cup with Janine Tischer on the brakes, switched to Logsch for the 2009-2010 Olympic season.  The result was two solid pushes, sixth (5.31) and fourth (5.32) among the 23 sleds who started. They produced the fastest run times in both heats, 50.01 and 49.91 for a 1:39.92.

Defending Olympic and World Cup Champion Sandra Kiriasis of Germany finished second, .20 seconds back with brakeman Berit Wiacker. Kiriasis put down consistent run times of 50.05 and 50.087, for a 1:40.12 on the 2002 Olympic track.

Erin Pac and Michelle Rzepka of the USA grabbed the bronze medal with heat times of 50.13 and 50.19, for a 1:40.32 total clocking. Completing the top six teams were Bree Schaaf and Ingrid Marcum of the USA, 1:40.43; Helen Upperton  and Shelly-Ann Brown of Canada, 1:40.45; and Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse of Canada, 1:40.47.

Humphries and Moyse set the start record in both heats, posting a 5.22 in the first run and 5.20 in the second heat. The previous record was 5.25 set by Upperton and Jenny Ciochetti of Canada.

The Intersport World Cup moves to Lake Placid, New York next week, with the women bobsleigh race set for Saturday, November 21.