Humphries, Moyse pursue 3rd straight gold, but in different sleds
Canada will field the maximum 9 sleds in men's and women's competitions for 1st time
By CBC Sports
Two-time gold medallists Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse are officially in competition as they each pursue a third straight Olympic championship in women's bobsleigh.
Canada's sled teams were announced Monday, and Humphries will have Phylicia George as her brakeman, while Moyse will serve as brakeman for driver Alyssia Rissling. Canada's third women's team is driver Christine de Bruin with Melissa Lotholz on brake.
"I couldn't be more excited that Kaillie and I will be racing together at the Games. Her strength and power combined with my speed and explosiveness make for a great team," George said.
"As training partners we have pushed each other to the limit, holding each other accountable, ensuring we are the best versions of ourselves. Coming into a new sport with a limited time frame, I couldn't have asked for a better or more experienced athlete to learn from."
Humphries split time with George and Lotholz this season, winning her fourth overall World Cup title.
Moyse retired after the 2014 season, but launched a comeback in September, saying she wanted to help a less experienced driver.
"I was lucky to race with her in 2010 and 2014," Humphries said of Moyse. "We were a combo that worked. Since then, we both continued to grow. Being a pilot required me to stay focused on bobsleigh for four years in a row ... no gap years. In the same way, she feels like she gets to mentor a new pilot ... I get to mentor a new brakeman."
The bobsled competition begins Sunday with the two-man heats. The women's bobsled is scheduled for next Tuesday.
For the first time in Olympic history, Canada will field a maximum number of sleds in all disciplines.
Canada's sled teams competing in Pyeongchang are:
Two-Man Bobsleigh:
- Justin Kripps/Alex Kopacz
- Chris Spring/Lascelles Brown
- Nick Poloniato/Jesse Lumsden
Women's Bobsleigh:
- Kaillie Humphries/ Phylicia George
- Alysia Rissling/ Heather Moyse
- Christine de Bruin/ Melissa Lotholz
Four-Man Bobsleigh:
- Justin Kripps / Jesse Lumsden / Alex Kopacz / Seyi Smith
- Chris Spring / Lascelles Brown / Bryan Barnett/ Neville Wright
- Nick Poloniato / Cam Stones/ Josh Kirkpatrick/ Ben Coakwell