Whistler ice track hosts bobsleigh and skeleton World Cup opener

December 1, 2016

The fastest ice track welcomes bobsleigh and skeleton athletes for the first BMW IBSF World Cup event in Whistler.

The home of Vancouver 2010 will comeback to life, to kick off the pre-Olympic season for bobsleigh and skeleton athletes. The circuit’s first event will take place on December 2-3, before continuing to Lake Placid for the last stop of 2016.

Kaillie Humphries and Melissa Lotholz holding up their trophies for the overall World Cup victory at Lake Koenigssee Germany February 26, 2016.

Last season Kaillie Humphries and Melissa Lotholz dominated the circuit, earning a spot on every World Cup podium winning four gold, two silver and two bronze. Not only did the duo clinch eight World Cup medals, they won the coveted crystal globe award to the overall circuit winners.

Chris Spring and Lascelles Brown of Canada during the first run of two-man bobsleigh at the IBSF World Cup in Whistler, B.C.

Canada’s bobsleigh athetes have a history of success at their home track. In 2016 Chris Spring and Lascelles Brown won their first World Cup title on home soil after Humphries and Lothloz won gold in track recording setting time. After clinching double gold in front of fans last season, the teams will be looking to top the podium once again.

Also on the ice track this weekend is Canada’s skeleton team. Last season Jane Channell led the squad, winning her first ever World Cup medal in Winterberg taking bronze, before picking up a silver in Park City.

Jane Channell (left) celebrates her second place World Cup finish in women’s skeleton during the flower ceremony at Park City, Utah on January 16, 2016.

The World Cup opener will begin on December 2 with the women’s skeleton and two-man bobsleigh. Fans can check out the action live in Whistler, or stream the competition on cbcsport.ca.