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Lund Captures World Cup Title
By Amanda Bird // U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation // February 24, 2007
KÖNIGSSEE, Germany—Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah) won his fourth victory today at the men’s skeleton World Cup finale in Königssee, Germany, where he was crowned World Cup Champion after winning five medals this season. Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.) finished sixth today, solidifying his second place position in overall standings behind his teammate.
“Reaching the top is a dream, it’s amazing, and there are no words to explain how I’m feeling right now,” Lund said through tears as he tried articulating his feelings about winning the overall title.
Last year Lund was leading the World Cup up to the race in Königssee, where the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation suspended him from competition until arbitration of his positive test for finasteride, found in his anti-balding medication, could be resolved. U.S. anti-doping (USADA) decided to give Lund a public reprimand, and Lund's season seemed back on track.
At the Games, the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) challenged USADA's decision and filed arbitration with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Although CAS thought Lund was innocent, they gave him a minimum one-year ban, and Lund was asked to leave the Olympic village on the day of opening ceremonies. Becoming World Cup champion at Königssee represents a remarkable journey back for Lund.
“I have to keep from breaking out into tears right now,” Lund said. “Becoming World Cup champion was the biggest goal of my entire career.
Bernotas was first off, setting the standard for the final World Cup race by breaking the track record with a run of 48.09. Shortly after, Austria’s Markus Penz shaved off 0.06 seconds to break the record a second time with a 47.93. Eager to be crowned overall champion, Lund threw down a 47.85, smashing the new record by another 0.08 seconds.
“My first run felt great, and I don’t think I could have done it better in the last race of the year,” Lund said. “I feel very lucky to be here and to have sponsors like Allianz and Home Depot. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
Lund continued to dominate in the second heat with a 48.12 for a combined time of 1:35.97, giving him the gold and the overall title.
“When I crossed the finish line, people were just looking at me and no one was cheering yet,” Lund said. “I thought, ‘Uh oh,’ but then I saw the negative next my time, and I knew I had won the race. It was like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I feel elated, accomplished, and I’ve finally done what I told myself I could do.
Bernotas finished sixth today with a total time of 1:36.47 after a second run of 48.38, securing his second overall position in World Cup rank.
“I struggled in training this week, and I even had a couple crashes out of the kreisel corner,” Bernotas said. “Things began to slowly click during the week. I was happy with how the race went today, and I knew that as long as I was in the top twenty sliders today, I had secured my second overall spot. I was just starting to understand this track, and honestly, I want to race again,” Bernotas said with a laugh.
Alexander Tretiakov from Russia holds the start record on every track he’s competed on this season, smashing the push record in Königssee today twice with a 4.65 and 4.59. Tretiakov had runs of 48.05 and 48.08 for a combined time of 1:36.13 to take the silver, finishing third in overall standings despite having missed two World Cup events.
Penz finished with the bronze after a second run of 48.33 for a total time of 1:36.26.
Chris Hedquist (Salt Lake City, Utah) finished twelfth after runs of 48.35 and 48.62 for a combined time of 1:36.97. Hedquist finished the season ranked seventh after having his first-ever podium finish in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.) had a first heat time of 48.93, placing him in twenty-fifth. Only the top twenty finishers in the first heat are given a second run. Smith finished the season ranked sixteenth after having won his first-career World Cup medal on his home track in Lake Placid.
Lund claimed the World Cup title with 653 points. Bernotas was second with 544, while Tretiakov was third with 487.
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