Skeleton

Yarnold claims gold at World Cup opener

ESPN staff

November 30, 2013

Lizzy Yarnold originally trailed Noelle Pikus-Pace by 0.16 seconds in Canada © AP

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Lizzy Yarnold has been handed victory in the season-opening World Cup skeleton World Cup race in Canada after the original race winner Noelle Pikus-Pace was disqualified.

British world junior champion Yarnold originally finished 0.16 seconds behind Pikus-Pace in Calgary, but was later elevated to gold medal status after the American was deemed to have excess tape on her sled.

The Great Britain team had protested over the use of tape and verdicts were changed by a race jury approximately an hour after the World Cup opener had finished.

"Noelle is devastated," US head coach Tuffy Latour said. "She didn't violate the spirit of the rule. But I'll tell you what, this has released the lioness in her. I have no doubt she'll be on the medal stand next week."

Victory marks Yarnold's third career World Cup skeleton victory. The second event of the season takes place on December 7 in Park City, Utah.

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