Holcomb stays perfect in World Cup season

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – A year ago, Steven Holcomb won six medals on the World Cup circuit, which would represent a strong year for just about any bobsled driver.

So far this season, he’s won seven. All gold, too.

And to think, the season isn’t even half over yet.

Holcomb drove USA-1 to victory Sunday to cap off another huge weekend for American bobsledders and skeleton athletes on the World Cup circuit, teaming with Curt Tomasevicz, Steve Langton and Chris Fogt to finish two runs at Mount Van Hoevenberg in 1 minute, 50.15 seconds. Holcomb is 7 for 7 this season, building big leads already in the two-man, four-man and combined overall points standings.

“If you’d have said I would win seven in a row in my career, ever, I’d have thought you were crazy,” said Holcomb, who drove USA-1 to gold in the four-man competition at the Vancouver Olympics. “I don’t even know what to think right now. It’s kind of overwhelming.”

Holcomb, Tomasevicz, Langton and Fogt had the fastest pushes in both heats, and with the way snow was piling up on Sunday, they needed that extra oomph. Holcomb was the final driver down the track in the second heat, meaning he, in theory, was getting the slowest ice. And his time was 0.21 seconds slower in that second run, but still enough to hold off the British sled piloted by John James Jackson.

“We’re really firing on all cylinders,” Langton said. “Holcomb’s driving well and even when he makes mistakes it’s better than other peoples’ best.”

The British team of Jackson, Stuart Benson, Bruce Tasker and Joel Fearon finished in 1:50.22. It was a huge result for Jackson, who tore his Achilles last summer and still walks with a pronounced limp.

He still came plenty close to Holcomb, even with the American on home ice.

“This is Steve Holcomb’s track,” Jackson said. “Put Steve on any track, and he’s quick.”

A German team was third.

Holcomb’s medal was the 11th won by U.S. sliders in Lake Placid. The rest of the world, combined, won 10.