Mirela Rahneva of Ottawa, Ontario won her fourth career World Cup race on Thursday. The 34-year-old won the gold medal at the second World Cup women’s skeleton race of the season in Park City, Utah.
Rahneva had a winning time of 1:38.42. Tina Hermann of Germany won the silver medal with a time of 1:38.52. Laura Deas of Great Britain won the bronze medal with a time of 1:38.55. Rahneva earned a medal by 0.15 seconds as Susanne Kreher of Germany finished in fourth place with a time of 1:38.57.
Rahneva’s three prior victories came in St. Moritz, Switzerland on January 20, 2017, in St. Moritz again on January 25, 2019, and in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on February 22, 2019. Rahneva became the first Canadian to win a Women’s World Cup race in Salt Lake City since Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Mellisa Hollingsworth of Lacombe, Alberta won the gold medal on February 11, 2009. It was one of seven World Cup gold medals in Hollingsworth’s career. Hollingsworth won the bronze medal for Canada in women’s skeleton at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin.
Rahneva is now in second place in the Women’s Skeleton World Cup standings with 393 points. Hannah Neise of Germany leads with 401 points. The gold medal for Rahneva will give her confidence as she prepares for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo.