‘Streak is over’ for Humphries
Turns out Kaillie Humphries is a mere mortal, after all.
For the first time in 11 months, the world’s finest female bobsled racer competed in an international event, only to fall short of the top spot on the podium.
Humphries, 27, saw her recordbreaking streak of eight straight victories (seven on the World Cup, one at the world championship) snap Friday with a bronze medal in Altenberg, Germany.
For the first time in almost a calendar year, the sweet sounds of O Canada did not play in honour of the fast-charging Calgarian.
“The streak is over,” Humphries declared via telephone from the World Cup stop in Altenberg. “I knew at some point, it was going to end.”
No one in any sport wins every competition. Not Tiger Woods (even before the split from Elin Nordegren.) Not tennis star Roger Federer.
Not even Canadian speedskater Christine Nesbitt.
“Overall, I’m happy with how today went,” Humphries said. “I knew the competition was going to be tough going in.
“Our first run went well. We pushed well and had a good run. The times just didn’t seem to be there today. The speeds just weren’t there, which we’re still trying to figure out why.”
Not one to get carried away with emotion — not even upon winning gold at the Vancouver Olympics — Humphries will calmly conduct a post-mortem on this race with rookie brakeman Chelsea Valois of Zenon Park, Sask.
Win or lose, Humphries believes lessons can be gleaned by reviewing what went right and what went wrong.
The ultimate goal, of course, is to grace the top of the podium at the biggest race of all in 2014.
“All of it is a stepping stone towards Sochi,” Humphries said. “We’re just looking to learn as much as possible from each and every race in order to prepare for Sochi — to be able to stand on the line and do the very best we can.”
On Friday, the Germans dominated on home ice, grabbing the top-two spots on the podium Cathleen Martini and Stephanie Schneider teamed up to win the gold in a combined time of 1:56.95. Sandra Kiriasis and Franziska Bertels slid to the silver medal in 1:57.25
Coincidentally, Kiriasis held the previous record for longest winning streak of six straight races bettered by Humphries in December.
Humphries and Valois hung on for the bronze medal with a two-run time of 1:57.27.
Regardless, Humphries has clearly established herself as the favourite to repeat as world champion later this month in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and as Olympic champion next year in Sochi, Russia.
No woman has ever successfully defended the Olympic title in bobsled.
The countdown clock sits at 397 days until the opening ceremonies for the next edition of the five-ring circus.
“It’s coming really quick,” Humphries said. “Seriously, it seems just like yesterday that it was Vancouver. It’s like, ‘holy crap. OK. We basically have a year.’ But it is what it is.
“Time doesn’t stop for anybody.”
Not even the fastest female bobsledder on the planet.