Astrid Loch-Wilkinson has driven to a silver and a bronze in the America's Cup bobsleigh competition being held at Utah Olympic Park, United States.

On Day 1 of the three day competition, Loch-Wilkinson and new push partner Cecilia McIntosh, piloted her sled down the Salt Lake 2002 track in a total time of one minute 43.57 seconds, 0.27 seconds behind the Brazilian team of Fabiana Santos and Daniela Ribeiro

Loch-Wilkinson was placed third after run 1, but was elevated to second position after the Canadian pairing of Lisa Szabon and Cindy Marshall were disqualified for being over weight.

A second placing on the second run then secured the silver medal for the Australian duo. In race 2 the duo finished in third place to take bronze.

The men's bobsleigh team had a mixed day on the ice. Chris Spring went one spot better to finish in 4th place wtih brakeman Anthony Ryan. 

Spring finished 0.73 seconds behind Todd Hays and Steven Langton (USA) and Serge Despres and Robert Gray (CAN) in second.

Other Australians Jeremy Rolleston and Duncan Harvey had a disappointing result finishing in 17th place, although jumping a couple of places after finish in 19th place after the first run. 
Travis Sheehy and Shane McKenzie couldn't improve on their first run place and finished 20th.

Heath Spence and Jason Oliveri failed to make the cut for a second run finishing in 28th.

Racing continues tonight with race 2 of the Men's Skeleton and tomorrow with race 3 of the Men's and Women's Bobsleigh.

OWI