Flock Aims for Skeleton Medal from Top Position
Anna Flock, the 36-year-old athlete from Tyrol, is currently leading in the skeleton event at the Winter Games in Cortina. After the first two runs, she holds a slim margin over Germany’s Susanne Kreher and Jacqueline Pfeifer, standing just 0.04 and 0.13 seconds ahead, respectively. The fourth-place athlete, Germany’s Hannah Neise, trails Flock by 0.37 seconds.
Challenging Competition Ahead
With two more runs set for Saturday at 18:00, Flock recognizes the intense competition she faces. “The strong German ladies are right behind me, making it very exciting,” Flock stated. She remains enthusiastic, looking forward to continuing the race. “I really enjoy racing in Cortina; the track is in excellent condition,” she added.
Impressive Performance on Day One
Flock’s first run was remarkable. She set a new track record of 57.22 seconds, becoming the fastest among her peers, overtaking Kreher by 0.02 seconds and British competitor Tabitha Stoecker by 0.19 seconds. Stoecker initially outpaced Flock at the start but failed to maintain her lead.
- Run One: Flock – 57.22 seconds (Track Record)
- Second: Kreher – 57.24 seconds
- Third: Stoecker – 57.41 seconds
In the second run, Pfeifer reclaimed the track record with a time of 57.18 seconds. Flock’s performances showed promise, landing her second in the second run and narrowing the gap to Kreher.
- Run Two: Flock’s Time – slightly behind Kreher
- Pfeifer – 57.18 seconds (New Record)
Overcoming Adversity
Flock faced significant challenges leading up to the competition. A concussion suffered during training in January had hindered her chance for a fourth overall World Cup title. Additionally, she dealt with recurring back issues. “I took the necessary time to recover, and now I feel in great form,” she remarked.
Historically, Flock has shown resilience. At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, she was second after the first run and led after three, but ultimately missed out on a medal by a hair’s breadth. In her previous Olympic appearances in Sochi (2014) and Beijing (2022), she did not progress past the initial rounds, finishing ninth and tenth, respectively. The upcoming days in Cortina may prove pivotal for Flock as she aims for a coveted medal.
