For Release: February 17, 2000

American Duo Wins First Gold Medal At Winter Goodwill Games

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (Feb. 17, 2000) -- Under fast conditions, Mark Grimmette (Muskegon, Michigan) and Brian Martin (Palo Alto, CA) captured the gold medal in the doubles luge with a combined time of 1 minute, 37.823 seconds. The American team led the competition from start to finish to earn the first gold medal awarded at the new track, and the first in the history of the Winter Goodwill Games.

Teammates Chris Thorpe (Marquette, Michigan) and Gordy Sheer (Lake Placid, NY) finished fourth.

The German pair of Steffen Skel and Steffen Woeller won the silver medal, while Italians Christian Oberstolz and Patrick Gruber checked in with the bronze.

After the first run, Grimmette/Martin led the field by nearly half of a second. The time of 48.628 was fast enough to put them in the lead over Skel/Woeller (GER) and Oberstolz/Gruber (ITA) heading into the second heat. Americans Thorpe/Sheer finished fourth in the first run.

In the first of two runs in the women's single event, Germany's Sylke Otto is in the lead over countrywoman Silke Kraushaar. The women had times of 49.220 and 49.420 seconds, respectively. The top American is Ashley Hayden, in 13th place. The women's competition will be completed Friday.

CONTACTS:

Jeff Pomeroy	Goodwill Games	518-523-2716
Sandy Caligiore	ORDA	518-523-1655x213

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