Katie Uhlaender, of the United States, slides during her fourth run at the skeleton world championships last year in Lake Placid, N.Y.Julia Demaree Nikhinson/The Associated Press
Canada’s skeleton team denies accusations by American Katie Uhlaender that Canada’s coach sabotaged her chances of sliding in the Olympic Games.
Athletes from all countries are chasing the last qualification points for the Milan Cortina Games. Qualification ends Sunday.
At a North American Cup race, which is a developmental event below the World Cup level, Canada withdrew four of six women Sunday in Lake Placid, N.Y.
The smaller field reduced the number of Olympic qualification points available in the competition, which Uhlaender won.
The 41-year-old Uhlaender is third among U.S. women and 20th overall in world rankings. The 2012 world champion says Canada’s decision killed her chances of competing in a sixth Olympic Games.
The Times of London reported that Uhlaender and Canadian head coach Joe Cecchini spoke in a phone call before Sunday’s race and Uhlaender described Cecchini’s decision with an expletive.
The Times reported Cecchini suggested he made the decision to protect the Canadians’ positions in the IBSF rankings.
But Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton insisted the decision was made with developmental athletes in mind, and that women were withdrawn after rough outings in the first two of three scheduled races in Lake Placid.
Katie Uhlaender of the U.S. in action during the women's skeleton at the IBSF World Championships last year.Brendan McDermid/Reuters
“Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) is aware of allegations being made against our program, following the decision to remove four of our younger athletes from the Lake Placid America’s Cup,” the organization said.
“The Lake Placid event this week presented unique circumstances, as it consisted of three races in a single week rather than the standard two. Four of our athletes entered in the event are young and relatively new to the sport. All experienced a particularly challenging week on the track.
“Following a collective assessment by the coaching and performance team, it was determined that continuing to race these athletes was not in their best interests, nor in the best interests of the program. As a result, they were withdrawn from further competition at that venue this weekend. Our two most experienced athletes continued to compete.”
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation said Monday its Integrity Unit will conduct an investigation into the dispute and would not comment further.
World Cup results carry more weight in world rankings than the sport’s feeder circuits, with a victory worth 225 points.
With 19 women entered in Sunday’s North American Cup, Uhlaender earned 90 points for her victory instead of 120 had there been 21 or more entries.
The American also won the first two races in Lake Placid, N.Y., and collected 120 points in each because of fields of 23.
“We recognize that withdrawing athletes had an unintended impact on the size of the field and, consequently, the number of development points allocated for the event,” BCS said. “However, it is well understood within the sport that development circuits do not carry fixed points.
“The National Skeleton Program has always treated the development circuit as exactly that – a developmental environment – not a pathway for Olympic qualification.
“BCS remains confident that its actions were appropriate, transparent, and aligned with both athlete welfare and the integrity of the sport.”
Calgary’s Grace Dafoe finished eighth and Emily Bateman of Desbarats, Ont., was ninth Sunday.
Meanwhile, four other U.S. women raced in a World Cup last week in St. Moritz, Switzerland, alongside Canadians Hallie Clarke and Jane Channell.
Clarke ranks 12th and Channell 26th internationally.
The women’s Olympic skeleton field will consist of 25 competitors. How many women one country can bring will be determined by rankings as of Sunday.
Two countries will be able to enter three women, four countries two athletes and 11 countries can enter just one.
The Times also reported that U.S. head coach Andrew Blaser was among four national skeleton coaches to complain to the International Olympic Committee’s athletes’ commission about the Lake Placid dispute.
“USA Bobsled/Skeleton is committed to fair play and to protecting the rights of athletes,” the American federation said Monday in a statement.
“At the same time, we recognize the importance of maintaining positive and respectful international relationships within our sport.
“Our understanding is that the IBSF is currently reviewing the matter, and we will await their decision.”