A December 14 showing in Lake Placid found the remarkable bobsledding duo of Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse on top of the World Cup podium. Clocking a two-heat combined run of 1:53.66, the closest competitor was Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams of the United States by 0.12 seconds. Of note, Meyers also took second place to Humphries at the season opening event in Calgary, Alberta.
In the first run, the duo logged a track record with a sparkling time of 56.63 seconds, which was merely .02 seconds faster than the persistent Meyers. Perhaps the most impressive aspect was the fact that Moyse was nursing a back injury.
November 2013: Humphries, centre, holds her niece Haze beside partner Heather Moyse after capturing first in a women’s bobsleigh World Cup event in Calgary. Photograph by: Todd Korol , Getty Images
The week prior, Calgary-native Humphries found her streak of 15 straight podium finishes snapped in Park City, Utah. Of note, the streak also included 11 victories. With Moyse unable to compete, Chelsea Valois of Zenon Park, Saskatchewan stepped in. The two would grab a world title in 2012-13 but were unable to duplicate their magic again.
Heavy snow played a factor as the team was unable to keep Humphries streak alive. A disappointing seventh-place would serve as the final result. During the Lake Placid race, Valois raced with Edmonton native Jenny Ciochetti, with a 14th place finish.
Proud PEI native Heather Moyse promoting homegrown potatoes (Image obtained from: http://www.potatopro.com)
Summerside, PEI resident Moyse is a multi-sport athlete who has also represented Canada on the international stage in rugby and cycling. Of note, she was the leading scorer at the 2006 Rugby World Cup. With the sport making its Summer Games debut at Rio 2016, the thought of Moyse suiting up for Canada on the pitch would only solidify her legend. Having actually started in bobsled at 27, she competed in bobsled with Helen Upperton at the 2006 Torino Winter Games.
While Moyse took a break from bobsledding after the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, the two have reunited for the 2013-14 season. With the season opener on home soil, Humphries and Moyse made an impression as they set a new Canadian track record in Calgary. The duo would soar through Canada Olympic Park in 55.89 seconds, as a quarter-second was lopped off the previous record, held by Lesa Mayes-Stringer and Jamie Cruickshank.
Heading into the Sochi Winter Games as favorites for a gold medal, the track may have a significant factor in which team emerges victorious. With three uphill sections, it shall serve as a brand new experience for many competitors. The last time that a track had three such sections was at the 1998 Nagano Winter Games.
allowhertoplay 