Silveira Wins First IBSF Gold in NAC Opener

From Whistler, CAN

(November 7, 2021) – Brazil’s Nicole Silveira turned heads with a strong showing in Yanqing in the IBSF test event in October. She backed up that performance with her first career IBSF medal: A gold in the North American Cup season opener in Whistler.

Silveira was the quickest off the top and at every split in the one heat race on her way to a commanding .56 second victory over Canadian NAC newcomer Hallie Clarke.

The gold medal for Silvera was her first ever IBSF international medal.

Clarke, whose previous international experience consisted of four IBSF OMEGA Youth Series races in 2019 and the 2020 Youth Olympic Games (where she finished 12th), won silver in her first North American Cup race, one spot ahead of teammate Madi Charney, who helped put two Canadians on the podium with a bronze medal finish.

Charney edged out the United States’ Savannah Graybill, who finished just out of the medals in fourth, ahead of teammate Sara Roderick in fifth. Italy’s Alessandra Fumagalli rounded out the top six in her first ever start in North America.

Sweden’s Leslie Stratton missed a top six by .06 and finished seventh, while Grace Dafoe helped put three Canadians in the top ten with a tenth place finish.

Natalie Coughlin finished 15th on the fourth Canadian sled, while Michelle Toukan finished 19th in the final American effort.

Malta’s Shannon Galea finished 17th.

The race was a one-heat race due to heavy snow causing issues with the timing eyes.