Mapp, Balk and Stewart at the medal ceremony

Photo credit: IBSF|Ģirts Kehris

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (November 24, 2021) – The 2021-2022 Para Bobsleigh World Cup season kicked off at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid this week. Bob Balk (Moravia, N.Y.) led the U.S. medal haul with gold and bronze medal finishes, and Steven Jacobo (Gardnerville, Nev.) claimed a silver medal to bring the total to three.

Athletes from seven nations vied for the first podium of the season in a hotly contested race, but it was American newcomer Balk who took home his first career gold. Balk was dominant, threading together the fastest downtimes of 1:00.21 and 1:00.49 to win by 0.33 seconds with a combined time of 2:00.70.

Balk was followed closely by Corie Mapp of Great Britain and Christopher Stewart of Switzerland. Although several athletes made a run at the podium in the second heat, Balk, Mapp, and Stewart each threw down speedy runs to fight them off. Stewart earned bronze with a combined time of 2:01.12, while Mapp took home the silver with a 2:01.03. Americans Jacobo and Will Castillo (Orlando, FL) finished seventh and eighth, respectively.

Israel Blanco from Spain put together a strong performance yesterday to take the lead in the second competition. Blanco was victorious with a two-run total of 2:01.16. Jacobo had an impressive performance, posting the fourth and second fastest times of the day to claim the silver medal with a combined time of 2:01.42. Balk earned his second medal of the event, a bronze, after sliding to the finish in 2:01.47. Castillo moved up into sixth place with an aggregate time of 2:02.13.

The Para Bobsleigh World Cup will make its second stop on home ice in Park City, Utah with races on December 5-6.

For media inquiries, please contact USABS Marketing and Communications Director Amanda Bird at amanda.bird@usabs.com.

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Results

Race #1

1. Bob Balk (USA) 2:00.70 (1:00.21, 1:00.49);

2. Corie Mapp (GBR) 2:01.03 (1:00.54, 1:00.49);

3. Christopher Stewart (SUI) 2:01.12 (1:00.61, 1:00.51);

7. Steven Jacobo (USA) 2:02.23 (1:01.14, 1:01.09);

8. Guillermo Castillo (USA) 2:02.28 (1:00.71, 1:01.57);

Race #2

1. Israel Blanco (ESP) 2:01.16 (1:00.41, 1:00.75);

2. Steven Jacobo (USA) 2:01.42 (1:00.54, 1:00.88);

3. Bob Balk (USA) 2:01.47 (1:00.47, 1:01.00);

6. Guillermo Castillo (USA) 2:02.13 (1:01.07, 1:01.06);

About USA Bobsled/Skeleton

USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS), based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. For more information, please visit the USABS website at www.usabs.com. Individuals interested in becoming a bobsled or skeleton athlete can visit www.usabobsledskeleton.com.

Balk and Jacobo earn three medals in Para Bobsleigh World Cup opener in Lake Placid

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