Canadian national Skeleton team member Michelle Kelly of Fort St. John, B.C. takes a training run at the Whistler Sliding Centre.
Photograph by: Joern Rohde , CNS files
KATIE UHLAENDER
Country: United States
Date of birth: July 17, 1984
Past Olympic experience: Made her Olympic debut in 2006 and finished in sixth.
Career highlights: “I’m definitely starting this season better than last year. Recovering from knee surgery over the summer has been a rough road, but I know I’ll be back on track (later this season),” Uhlaender said at the start of the 2008-09 season.
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ANJA HUBER
Country: Germany
Date of birth: May 20, 1983
Past Olympic experience: Made her debut at the 2006 Olympics and placed eighth.
Career highlights: Won the world championship in 2008 and finished fifth overall on the World Cup circuit in 2007-08.
Quote: “I am proud that I held on — I can hardly move the arm,” Huber said after winning a World Cup race this season shortly after injuring her elbow.
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SHELLEY RUDMAN
Country: Great Britain
Date of birth: March 23, 1981
Past Olympic experience: Won the silver medal at the 2006 Olympics, her first Games.
Career highlights: Placed fifth on the 2005-06 World Cup circuit. Won the second World Cup race of the 2008-09 season.
Quote: “My starts have improved . . . my sled feels great . . . the last stone to uncover is for me to start connecting with my sliding as I’m still not quite connecting — it will come with time though,” Rudman said prior to the 2008-09 season after taking a year off to have a baby.
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MAYA PEDERSEN
Country: Switzerland
Date of birth: Nov. 27, 1972
Past Olympic experience: Had the two fastest times in 2006 to win Olympic gold in her second try. She placed fifth at the Games in 2002.
Career highlights: Two-time world champion in 2005 and 2001 and placed second overall on the World Cup circuit in 2000-01 and ‘01-02.
Quote: “I missed sliding. I missed skeleton and I wanted to get back,” Pedersen said prior to the 2006 Olympics after taking time off to have a baby.
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KERSTIN SZYMKOWIAK
Country: Germany
Date of birth: Dec. 19, 1977
Past Olympic experience: Has yet to compete in the Olympics.
Career highlights: Placed third at the 2004 and 2008 world championship. Finished third overall on the World Cup circuit in 2003-04 and 2004-05.
