Kim McRae slides to bronze at luge World Cup in Calgary

Julia Taubitz of Germany won the race for her first World Cup victory, while standings leader Natalie Geisenberger, also from Germany, was second. 

Taubitz posted a two-run time of one minute 33.408 seconds, while Geisenberger clocked in at 1:33.885.

McRae, 26, was fourth after her first run and jumped onto the podium with her second for a total time of 1:33.885.

WATCH | Kim McRae reaches World Cup podium:

Kimberley McRae reaches World Cup podium in 1st race of season

6 years ago

Duration 1:43

The Canadian kick started her season on a positive note, racing to a 3rd place finish at the FIL Luge World Cup stop in Calgary, Alberta

The 31-year-old was the first Canadian to win an Olympic medal in luge when she claimed bronze in women's singles in February in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

"It's incredible. I was just going for two consistent runs this morning," McRae said. "To be on the podium and be able to step in where [Gough] left off is incredible."

WATCH | Alex Gough retires after farewell slide:

Alex Gough officially retires after farewell run in Calgary

6 years ago

Duration 3:54

Gough, Canada's 1st Olympic luge medallist, said goodbye to the sport she loved as she wrapped up a historic career with one final run at her home track in Calgary, Alberta.

After her farewell run as a forerunner, Gough watched McRae take the torch from her.

"I had every confidence in the world that any day of the week she can be right up there with those girls," Gough said. "She's an incredible slider and a really strong athlete."

McRae's bronze Saturday was her first World Cup medal in Calgary and the fourth of her career. She won bronze at the 2017 world championship and placed fifth in the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Games.

Calgary's Sam Edney has also made the decision to retire.

Edney was the first Canadian man to claim a World Cup gold in 2015 when he was victorious in Calgary.

Germany takes team relay

Germany also won the team relay, with Taubitz sliding with Felix Loch and the doubles entry of Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt for the gold.

The U.S. captured its first relay medal of the season, with Britcher, Tucker West and the doubles sled of Chris Mazdzer and Jayson Terdiman grabbing silver. Austria took third.

McRae, Reid Watts of Whistler, B.C., and the Calgary doubles team of Justin Snith and Tristan Walker were sixth.

WATCH | Germany captures team relay gold:

Germany capture team relay gold in Calgary

6 years ago

Duration 3:35

The German team of Julia Taubitz, Felix Loch, Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt won team relay gold at the FIL Luge World Cup in Calgary, Alberta.

WATCH | Julia Taubitz gets 1st career World Cup win:

Germany's Julia Taubitz wins 1st career World Cup gold in Calgary

6 years ago

Duration 2:18

Taubitz edged out fellow German Natalie Geisenberger on her way to her 1st World Cup victory at the FIL Luge World Cup event in Calgary, Alberta.

WATCH | Luge World Cup - women's 2nd run:

FIL Luge World Cup: Calgary - Women's 2nd Run

6 years ago

Duration 58:08

FIL Luge World Cup from Calgary