The results of the training races already showed that the two brothers Dukuri should be in the top three in the second stage. In the 1st stage of the PK Martins won, but Thomas took the 4th place. During the training races, Latvian skeletonists started together with the British and, despite the lag in the start run, there was less than a second ahead at the finish. Russian skeletonists did not participate in the last training session, because after going shopping to the shopping center Alfa were sentenced by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) leadership to spend a few days in quarantine. Leading Russian skeletonist Yelena Nikitina even benefited from not being trained, as she climbed from 9th to 2nd place during the week, while 2014 Olympic champion Alexander Tretyakov jumped to the side in second place and took 10th place.
Thomas Dukurs before the competition For the day emphasized the importance of correcting the errors made in Phase 1 of the PC on both journeys at 15th turn. On the very fast track, it also succeeded. In the first race, Thomas was only 0.09 seconds behind Martin, although he lost 0.12 seconds to his brother in the start. Thomas’ second ride was again on almost optimal trajectories, and Martin’s leading position was already in serious jeopardy. Nine-time PK winner Martins Dukurs is used to starting in stressful conditions, so this time he achieved a favorable result, winning his 56th PK victory in his career. In last season’s PK final stage competition in Sigulda, the Dukuri brothers also took the first and second stage on the podium.
Andy Steel’s downfall in the result columns was driven by both his own driving style and slip on the track, as well as the fact that competitors made fewer mistakes.
There will also be a two-stage competition in England.
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