POSTED: Saturday January 16th 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOBSLED: Kohn Meets Target for Two-man Olympic Qualification

Bobsled World Cup - St. Moritz Switzerland

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland- Mike Kohn (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) drove himself into Olympic contention after finishing 12th in today’s two-man bobsled World Cup event in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Kohn teamed with World Champion push athlete Curt Tomasevicz (Shelby, Neb.) to gain critical points on the world-rank list.

“This is a crucial weekend,” said Darrin Steele, U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation Chief Executive Officer. “Curt gave him a great start, but ultimately it was up to Mike to drive well, which he did. We have faith that he will perform under pressure tomorrow as well to qualify in four-man.”

Three nations will be granted three sleds at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in both two and four-man bobsled events. Germany and Switzerland had the top two nation spots locked up entering this weekend, but Kohn was up against Canadian Serge Despres for the final qualification. Canada only qualifies two sleds on World Cup tour, but Despres gained valuable points after winning European Cup races in Cesana, Italy this week.

A European Cup win is worth 75 points, while a 12th place finish on the World Cup is valued at 128 points. Nation quotas will be officially announced tomorrow, but Kohn’s performance today squeaked him past Despres on the world-rank list and will be enough to qualify three sleds for the U.S. in the Olympic two-man event.

Kohn and Tomasevicz combined forces for the first time in their career for start times of 5.25 and 5.24 seconds. Kohn maintained the team’s momentum down the course, steering his BoDyn sled to the finish in 1:06.83 and 1:06.34 for a combined time of two minutes, 13.17 seconds. The duo was the highest U.S. finisher today in 12th.

Ties are unheard of on a track 1,722-meters long; yet the gold medal was shared today by Canada and Germany with a combined time of 2:12.34. Lyndon Rush teamed with Lascelles Brown for runs of 1:06.52 and 1:05.82 to share the victory with reigning Olympic Champion Andre Lange. Lange and teammate Kevin Kuske were in seventh after a first run of 1:06.65, but moved up to share the lead with Rush after sliding a second run time of 1:05.69.

Edwin Van Calker and Sybren Jansma from the Netherlands claimed bronze with a two-run total of 2:12.48 after crossing the finish line in 1:06.42 and 1:06.06.

Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah) partnered with Justin Olsen (San Antonio, Texas) to finish 14th with a total time of 2:13.48. Team Holcomb pushed starts of 5.27 and 5.28 for runs of 1:07.04 and 1:06.44, respectively.

“Kohn did what he needed to do, so it was a good day for the U.S.,” said Holcomb. “It wasn’t a good race at all for me. We weren’t fast today, but I have to move on and not let it affect my confidence.”

John Napier (Lake Placid, N.Y.) piloted his sled to 15th place with teammate Steve Langton (Melrose, Mass.) with a total time of 2:13.54. The U.S. pair pushed 5.27 for a first run of 1:07.07, and a second start of 5.29 for a run of 1:06.47.

Four-man bobsled competition will take place tomorrow in St. Moritz at 4 am EST. Visit http://www.UniversalSports.com to find local television listings for the St. Moritz event as well as additional information, including video and photos, about bobsled and skeleton.

The USBSF appreciates your support. Please visit http://www.SharetheRideUSA.com to make a donation and have your name on a national team sled for one season. For updates on the team throughout the season, follow USBSF on Twitter or log onto http://www.USBSF.com. Please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at (518) 523-1842, ext. 106, or at abird@usbsf.com for any questions regarding the U.S. team.

Results:
1. Lyndon Rush and Lascelles Brown (CAN) 2:12.34 (1:06.52, 1:05.82); 1. Andre Lange and Kevin Kuske (GER) 2:12.34 (1:06.65, 1:05.69); 3. Edwin Van Calker and Sybren Jansma (NED) 2:12.48 (1:06.42, 1:06.06);...12. Mike Kohn and Curt Tomasevicz (USA) 2:13.17 (1:06.83, 1:06.34);...14. Stevenn Holcomb and Justin Olsen (USA) 2:13.48 (1:07.04, 1:06.44); 15. John Napier and Steve Langton (USA) 2:13.54 (1:07.07, 1:06.47);

About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: Allianz Life, Under Armour, Vilter Manufacturing, Kampgrounds of America, 776 Original Marketing, KBC Helmets, Luminox Watch Company, BNRG, EDAS/Ripxx and Ferris Mfg. Corp. In addition, the USBSF supports the following charitable causes: American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Seattle Children’s Hospital. The USBSF would also like to thank the following sponsors and suppliers for their partner, the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project: Whelen Engineering, PPG, Columbia Sportswear, JEGS Automotive, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools, EXA, Lumber Liquidators, ServiceMaster Clean, National Guard, Lincoln Electric and Racing Electronics. For more information, please visit the USBSF website at http://bobsled.teamusa.org.

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Keywords · US Bobsled · Mike Kohn · Curt Tomasevicz · World Cup

Name: Amanda Bird
Organization: U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
Email:
Phone: +1.518-523-1842 ext. 106
URL: http://bobsled.teamusa.org

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