Michelle Szlauko (left) and Lauren Brzozowski (right) at the Igls track.

IGLS, Austria (January 24, 2022) – Lauren Brzozowski (Wycoff, N.J.) and Michelle Szlauko (Oak Hills, Calif.) finished seventh in the two-woman bobsled Junior World Championships in Igls yesterday. 

“Such an honor to represent Team USA here in Austria out on the ice,” Brzozowski posted on Instagram. “This was both [Michelle Szlauko] and my first debut racing in Europe and I couldn’t be more happy with our performance. Every day we improved and every day we had fun. Can’t wait to do it all again next year.”

Brzozowski was attending Loughborough University to get a master’s degree and run for the school’s track team when COVID-19 disrupted her plans. She returned to the U.S. before the border was closed and heard about bobsled through a former assistant coach. Brzozowski submitted her virtual tryout on GMTM.com, and two years later she’s leading the U.S. in Junior World Championships. 

 

Szlauko is a former soccer player now pursuing bobsled. She competed in her first international competition in November in a North American Cup race with Brzozowski. 

The American duo pushed their sled off the block in 6.22 and 6.69 seconds for the eighth and seventh ranked starts of the field. Brzozowski piloted the team to the finish in 56.67 and 57.24 seconds for a combined time of 1:52.91 to finish seventh. 

Riley Compton (Carmel, Ill.) and Jasmine Jones (Greensburg, Pa.) had the fifth fastest start time of 5.85 seconds for a downtime of 55.19 seconds, but the team crashed in the second heat and did not finish. This was also a European debut for Compton and Jones.

Lubov Chernykh and Anastasia Kurysheva from Russia claimed the title with a two-run total of 1:47.34. Team Germany claimed silver and bronze. Maureen Zimmer and Anabel Galander finished second in 1:47.65, while Charlotte Candrix and Vanessa Mark took third in 1:47.89.

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

Results

1. Lubov Chernykh and Anastasia Kurysheva (RUS) 1:47.34 (53.63, 53.71);

2. Maureen Zimmer and Anabel Galander (GER) 1:47.65 (53.66, 53.99);

3. Charlotte Candrix and Vanessa Mark (GER) 1:47.89 (53.95, 53.94);

7. Lauren Brzozowski and Michelle Szlauko (USA) 1:53.91 (56.67, 57.24);

Riley Compton and Jasmine Jones (USA) (55.19, DNF)

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.