From Altenberg, GER
Jan. 16, 2021 – Elena Nikitina beat out a strong field of World Cup sliders in the Intercontinental Cup opener in Altenberg.
Nikitina slid to a half-second lead over teammate Yulia Kanakina in the first heat. On the second run Sophia Griebel moved up from third to second with the fastest slide of the heat. Nikitina’s second run wasn’t perfect but was enough to stay ahead of the German to win gold on the track that will host the IBSF World Championships for the second consecutive year.
Griebel finished second, just over .5 behind Nikitina and just under .2 ahead of Kanakina in third.
Germany’s Susanne Kreher finished fourth, just ahead of Kimberley Bos in fifth. Corinna Leipold and Canadian Jane Channell tied for sixth.
The United States put both of their women in the top ten, with Kelly Curtis finishing eighth and Sara Roderick ninth.
Great Britain’s effort was led by Brogan Crowley in 11th. Teammate Rachel Hanagan finished 14th.
The race featured seven sliders who’ve had starts in the past two World Cup season.
Results:
| Pos | Name | Nation | Bib | Start 1 | Start 2 | Run 1 | Run 2 | Total |
| 1 | Elena Nikitina | RUS | 6 | 5.44 | 5.39 | 58.03 | 58.52 | 1:56.55 |
| 2 | Sophia Griebel | GER | 10 | 5.57 | 5.70 | 58.63 | 58.49 | 1:57.12 |
| 3 | Yulia Kanakina | RUS | 5 | 5.56 | 5.57 | 58.55 | 58.75 | 1:57.30 |
| 4 | Susanne Kreher | GER | 11 | 5.78 | 5.80 | 58.73 | 58.83 | 1:57.56 |
| 5 | Kimberley Bos | NED | 8 | 5.57 | 5.65 | 58.86 | 58.93 | 1:57.79 |
| 6 | Corinna Leipold | GER | 1 | 5.93 | 5.88 | 58.97 | 59.42 | 1:58.39 |
| 7 | Jane Channell | CAN | 13 | 5.61 | 5.60 | 59.42 | 58.97 | 1:58.39 |
| 8 | Kelly Curtis | USA | 7 | 5.75 | 5.79 | 59.27 | 59.28 | 1:58.55 |
| 9 | Sara Roderick | USA | 12 | 5.63 | 5.68 | 59.17 | 59.68 | 1:58.85 |
| 10 | Alena Frolova | RUS | 9 | 5.61 | 5.63 | 59.58 | 59.64 | 1:59.22 |
| 11 | Brogan Crowley | GBR | 2 | 5.73 | 5.73 | 59.61 | 59.97 | 1:59.58 |
| 12 | Endija Terauda | LAT | 4 | 5.93 | 5.90 | 60.47 | 50.12 | 2:00.59 |
| 13 | Aline Pelckmans | BEL | 14 | 6.09 | 6.00 | 60.71 | 60.56 | 2:01.27 |
| 14 | Rachel Hanagan | GBR | 3 | 5.78 | 5.76 | 60.21 | 62.06 | 2:02.27 |
| 15 | Alena Huber | SUI | 15 | 6.41 | 6.50 | 61.39 | 61.61 | 2:03.00 |
