Overview
- Canadian head coach Joe Cecchini pulled four of six women from the North American Cup race shortly before the start, shrinking the field and lowering the Olympic qualification points on offer.
- Katie Uhlaender won the event but received fewer points because of the reduced field and says the result ended her last chance to qualify for Milan-Cortina.
- Uhlaender alleges Cecchini told her he wanted to eliminate any possibility that Canadian athlete Jane Channell could miss qualification, a claim echoed in a team email cited by DW.
- Coaches from the United States, Denmark, Israel and Malta filed formal concerns to the IOC athletes’ commission, prompting the IBSF to ask its Integrity Unit to investigate.
- Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton defends the withdrawals as an athlete-welfare decision, and the IBSF secretary general notes current rules allow pre-race scratches, with no disciplinary ruling or points adjustment announced.