Canada's Humphries drives to gold at bobsleigh World Cup

Canadian Olympic bobsleigh gold medallist Kaillie Humphries and new brakeman Emily Baadsvik won the women’s bobsleigh World Cup in La Plagne, France, on Friday.

Humphries, 26, and former rugby player Baadsvik, 28, posted a two-run time of 2:02.81 in their Canada 1 sled to win their first title together.

Germany 2’s Cathleen Martini and Janine Tischer finished second, 0.12 seconds behind the Canadians, while Fabienne Meyer and Hanne Schenk of Switzerland 1 were third.

"It feels really nice. I didn't expect too much today but sliding has gone well all week and things turned out great," said Humphries. "Emily did a great job today. The start is long and flat which treated us well so we are very happy."

The newly-formed Canadian duo finished seventh in the opening World Cup of the season last weekend in Igls, Austria.

Humphries won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games and bronze at last year's world championships with brakeman and rugby star Heather Moyse. Moyse has shifted her focus this season to cycling, where she is attempting to make the national track cycling team for the 2012 London Olympics.

"It is definitely a challenge and one we knew we would have to deal with this year," Humphries said in a release. "There is a lot that is new this year for sure, and every track in Europe is new to my brakeman, but I am doing my best to give them little tips and guide them where I can."

Dukurs brothers strike again in skeleton

Earlier in the day, Latvia's Dukurs brothers finished one-two in a men's skeleton race. 

Martins Dukurs won his second straight race with a time of 2:01.25, ahead of brother Tomass (2:02.23) and Russia's Alexander Tretiakov (2:02.42). 

Mike Douglas was top Canadian in 10th. Calgary's John Fairbairn was 14th and World Cup rookie Eric Neilson of Victoria was 20th.