USA skeleton athletes slide onto international podiums at the Utah Olympic Park

Root Roepke of the Utah Olympic Park Bobsled Skeleton Team foreruns the North Americas Cup race. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — The Utah Olympic Park hosted a North America’s Cup skeleton race over the weekend, featuring athletes from around the globe. Sliders from the United States secured podium finishes in women’s and men’s competitions on Saturday and Sunday, going head-to-head against an international field.

Kendall Wesenberg, a California native and University of Colorado, Boulder student, dominated the women’s division, earning first place on both days. Her USA teammate, Andy Whittier, also delivered strong performances in the men’s division, claiming podium finishes on both days as well.

January 18 Women’s Results:

1. Kendall Wesenberg (USA) – Start: 5.31 seconds | Finish: 50.26 seconds
2. Kellie Delka (Puerto Rico) – Start: 5.28 | Finish: 50.46
3. Isabella Fassnidge (Great Britain) – Start: 5.11 | Finish: 50.88

January 18 Men’s Results:

1. Yan Wengang (China) – Start: 4.67 | Finish: 48.87
2. Andy Whittier (USA) – Start: 4.70 | Finish: 48.93
3. Lucas Defayet (France) – Start: 4.82 | Finish: 49.18

Athletes reached speeds between 80 and 82 miles per hour, with some of the men’s push start times nearing track records.

Cassie Revelli, a Salt Lake City resident and the event’s Jury President for the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), shared her excitement about hosting the competition in Park City. A retired skeleton athlete and former Utah Olympic Park employee, Revelli highlighted the ideal conditions for the event.

“All of our athletes and coaches love coming to Park City,” Revelli said. “The sunshine and cold temperatures are a nice reprieve from the varying weather around the world. The Utah Olympic Park hosts amazing races, and everyone is always excited to be back here.”

January 19 Women’s Results:

1. Kendall Wesenberg (USA) – Start: 5.31 | Finish: 49.80
2. Kellie Delka (Puerto Rico) – Start: 5.28 | Finish: 49.87
3. Zhu Yangqi (China) – Start: 5.10 | Finish: 50.28

January 19 Men’s Results:

1. Andy Whittier (USA) – Start: 4.68 | Finish: 48.36
2. Yan Wengang (China) – Start: 4.69 | Finish: 48.45
3. Nicholas Timmings (Australia) – Start: 4.88 | Finish: 48.79

Other nations competing in the event included the Virgin Islands, Colombia, Israel, Ghana, Finland, Canada, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, and Malaysia, underscoring the global reach of the competition.