Defending champion Hallie Clarke in 3rd place halfway through skeleton event at worlds
Hallie Clarke, the defending women’s champion from Brighton, Ont., is currently sitting in third place after the first two runs at the skeleton world championships in Lake Placid, N.Y. Clarke clocked in with a two-run time of 1:51.09, just .22 seconds behind the current leader, Kimberley Bos of the Netherlands. Anna Fernstaedt of the Czech Republic is in second place with a time of 1:51.06, while Calgary’s Jane Channell is in 13th place with a time of 1:51.70.
Last year, Clarke made history by becoming the youngest women’s world champion in skeleton at just 19 years old, when she claimed the title in Winterburg, Germany. Now, she is aiming to become the first woman to win back-to-back skeleton championships. The final two runs are scheduled for Friday, with live coverage available on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem starting at 4 p.m. ET.
Reflecting on her performance so far, Clarke expressed her pride in being able to calm her nerves and handle the pressure of defending her title. She acknowledged the difference in mindset between defending a title and competing in a regular world championship, but she is pleased with her second run and the improvements she made from her first run. Drawing on her experience from last year, Clarke is using it as a guiding force in her pursuit of another championship victory.
In a video showcasing Clarke’s journey to becoming the youngest female world champion in skeleton, it is evident that her determination and skill have propelled her to success. Winning gold at the 2024 world championships on the same track where she secured her under-20 world junior championship skeleton win in Winterberg, Germany, Clarke has solidified her status as a rising star in the sport.
As Clarke continues her quest for back-to-back titles, fans and spectators alike are eagerly anticipating the final two runs of the competition. With her talent and tenacity on full display, Clarke is poised to make history once again and etch her name in the annals of skeleton racing.
