Korean skeleton racer Yun Sung-bin (left) finishes in second place, to many home fans’ regret, by the narrow margin of 0.01 seconds behind the world champion Martins Dukurs of Latvia, in the men’s skeleton in the 2016-2017 BMW International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup, at the Alpensia Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 17.
“One hundredth of a second.”
That was the time margin standing between Korean skeleton racer Yun Sung-bin and first place in the men’s skeleton competition at the recent World Cup.
Yun was edged out by his arch-nemesis, Martins Dukurs of Latvia, by merely 0.01 seconds in the men’s skeleton race in the 2016-2017 BMW International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup, at the Alpensia Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 17.
With the 0.01-second margin, the Korean athlete missed the first-place medal that was almost in his grasp.
Yun clocked in at 50.69 seconds in the first run, 0.18 seconds ahead of the Latvian racer, finishing in first place. In the second run, however, he finished 0.19 seconds behind the champion, putting himself in second place.
Yun failed to outpace the Latvian champion in the final race of the 2016-2017 season of the BMW IBSF World Cup, as well as in the previous 2015-2016 season. He tried to practice to perfect his sledding skills to win the first-ever race on a home track, even skipping the IBSF World Championships.
“I feel so sorry for today’s result,” said the runner-up after the race. “I thought today’s race would be a close call, but it’s regretful to get this outcome.”
“However, I had many advantages as I competed on my home track,” he continued. “I could practice 20 more times than other competitors. It really helped to improve my skills.”
As for curve No. 9, Yun said, “It’s a corner that the world’s top racers, like Martins Dukurs and Tomass Dukurs in third place [both from Latvia], could do after just a week of training. That’ll not be a big deal for Olympians.”
The Korean athlete added, “Taking advantage of home ice, I will train harder for the remaining year until the PyeongChang Olympic Games. I’ll be able to put up a good fight next year here. I noticed that in today’s race, and it’ll be possible in the upcoming Olympic Games, for sure.”
Korean skeleton athlete Yun Sung-bin pushes his sled from the start line in the men’s skeleton in the 2016-2017 BMW IBSF World Cup at the Alpensia Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 17.
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon Han Korea.net Photographer
jiae5853@korea.kr
