Dunedin skeleton racer Tionette Stoddard recorded a
career-best result when she finished seventh at a World Cup
Skeleton meet in St Moritz Switzerland, last week.
It is the first time a New Zealand female racer has finished
in the top 10 at a world cup meet.
The previous best result was when Wanaka-based Louise
Corcoran finished 11th during the 2003-04 season.
In an email to the Otago Daily Times, Stoddard said it was a
thrill to do so well, especially at the home of skeleton
racing - the sport originated in Switzerland - and on the
only natural bobsleigh track in the world.
‘‘For me this is a career-best result,'' she said.
Stoddard's seventh placing is a marked improvement on her
other results this year.
She finished 20th and 15th in Italy earlier this month.
However, she was still struggling with an injury.
‘‘After harbouring a hamstring injury for the first half of
the season, I am pleased with how things are progressing and
looking forward to getting back to full fitness as the weeks
roll on towards the 2008 World Champs in Altenberg, Germany
in late February.''
New Zealand could have its largest skeleton team at the world
championships, with Corcoran, Ben Sandford and Iain Roberts
all hoping to qualify.
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