Humphries shines as Minichiello drops to tenth in Whistler

From Sportsbeat staff, in Whistler

CANADA'S Kaillie Humphries leads at the half-way point in the women's bobsleigh as Great Britain's world champion Nicola Minichiello stuttered to tenth after two runs at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

FIRE STARTER: Canada's Kaillie Humphries shoots into the lead at the half way point of the women's bobsleigh at Whistler Sliding Centre (Getty Images)

Humphries, teaming up with brakewoman Heather Moyse, finished quickest in both of the first two runs to give herself a 0.13 seconds advantage over USA's Erin Pac.

The 24-year old also set track records in both runs, with her second run of 53.01 knocking 0.04 off Pac's second effort.

The American was a surprise addition to the top two but after two consistent runs, the 29-year old out-performed USA's first entry, defending Olympic silver medallist Shauna Rohbock by 0.76.

Germany's defending champion Sandra Kiriasis was distinctly below-par but remains in the medal hunt, 0.44 off Humphries' overall time.

Teammate Cathleen Martini is also set for a medal challenge, lying 0.40 behind Humphries in third, while Canada's second entry Helen Upperton is also in the mix in fourth.

Meanwhile, Minichiello, teaming up with brakewoman Gillian Cooke, has her work cut out to reach the podium places in Whistler.

The 31-year old is 0.98 off third-placed Martini and struggled to match the medal contenders for speed in both runs.

Great Britain's second pair Paula Walker and Kelly Thomas started slowly but record the ninth fastest second run to move into 11th, 0.19 behind Minichiello and Cooke.

 

AS IT HAPPENS: Follow day 12 of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver