Skeleton racing: Otago racers improve times

Otago skeleton racers Michael Coutts, of Dunedin, and Katharine Eustace, of Wanaka, are making improvements in speed during their World Cup campaign in the United States, despite finishing outside the top 10 in recent races.

The competition enables the athletes to earn points to qualify for the World Championships in Germany in February.

Both athletes raced at Park City, Utah on Saturday, the third stop on their eight-competition circuit.

Eustace finished 16th, following 11th place in her debut World Cup race earlier this month in Calgary.

Coutts was 20th, following a 19th in Calgary.

Eustace said they both achieved personal best down times by more than 0.5sec and had faster push times on the track than in previous races.

The next race is in Lake Placid, New York on December 17.

Two-time Olympian Ben Sandford will also compete in Lake Placid.

He did not compete at Park City because of injury.