Alexander Tretiakov and Elena Nikitina from Russia secured gold medals in a remarkable fashion at the start of the New Year in the World Cup skeleton competitions. Speculation was minimal as Tretiakov’s victory seemed almost effortless, making it a standout performance in men’s skeleton history. Despite the clear win, the competition saw other strong contenders showcasing their skills.
Yun Sungbin of South Korea, known for his gold medal win in the 2018 Olympics, claimed the second spot, with Nikita Tregubov of Russia following in third place. In the women’s category, Nikitina outperformed Jacqueline Loelling of Germany, while Yulia Kanakina of Russia secured a historic third place, marking her debut World Cup podium finish.
Notably, the recent victories mark the second triumph of the season for both Tretiakov and Nikitina, who were previously embroiled in the 2014 doping scandal during the Sochi Olympics. Russia’s dominance was evident as they clinched five out of six gold medals in skeleton this season.
Apart from the Russian success, Kendall Wesenberg emerged as the top U.S. woman, finishing ninth overall, while Austin Florian led the U.S. men, also claiming the ninth spot in the standings.
