Stewart Leads Para Bobsled World Championships At Halfway

From St. Moritz, SUI

(February 2, 2023) – Local favorite Christopher Stewart set the quick time in the first heat of the IBSF Para Bobsled World Championships, and despite a great slide by Austria’s Hermann Ellmauer in the second run, leads at the halfway point of the championships.

Stewart, sliding on his home track, opened up a .21 second lead over the United States’ Guillermo Castillo in the first run, with Ellmauer and Great Britain’s Corie Mapp tied for third, only .04 behind Castillo.

On the second run Ellmauer set the fastest time of the heat to move into the lead, ahead of Corie Mapp, whose second run was a bit bumpy. Like Mapp, Castillo had a tough second run as the sun began to beat down on the track, and he too fell behind Ellmauer.

Stewart’s second run, while just a tick slower than Ellmauer, was still plenty enough to hold onto his lead.

At halftime it’s .19 between Stewart and Ellmauer, with Castillo .55 out of the lead but well in the race for gold. Mapp is fourth, just .03 out of the top three, with perennial contenders Canadian Lonnie Bissonnette and Latvia’s Arturs Klots lingering round in the top six.

USA’s Robert Balk finished the day in ninth, while teammate Austin Parker finished the afternoon in 15th.

Results After 2 Heats: