Chris Spring pilots Canada to 4-man bobsleigh bronze

Chris Spring and teammates Cameron Stones, Lascelles Brown, and Samuel Giguere guided Canada to a bronze medal in the 4-man event at the bobsleigh and skeleton World Cup stage in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Saturday. 

Switzerland's Rico Peter drove the winning sled in a combined time of one minute, 48.31 seconds, holding off Steven Holcomb of the U.S. at 1:48.70, and the Canadian sled at 1:48.71.

Peter's sled had the fastest time in both heats.

"It was just a great weekend," Spring said. "I was confident after Friday's performance and I've been driving well here all week.

"I get a lot of confidence from the boys behind me. I believe in myself, but when other people believe in my ability, I take a lot more confidence from that. Those guys believe I'm the best pilot out there, and if they believe that, it allows me to as well."

Giguere, 31, who has been splitting his time between football and bobsleigh the last three years, was pleased with the result

"It feels awesome," he said. "Chris drove well the whole week.

"He was flying in that second run, and it was fun to be a part of helping get us on the podium."

Giguere said there are many similarities with his two chosen sports.

"The feeling is no different than winning the big game in football," he said. "You battle with your teammates, you go through hardships of training and getting ready and you get beaten up a bit, but this is what I strive for and why I come out.

"I could spend my off-season chilling at home and taking it easy, but that is not what I'm about. I'm here for the competition. To have the opportunity to jump in the sled with Cam, Lascelles and Chris is just a great opportunity."

Canada had two other sleds in the race, led by Justin Kripps (9th) and Nick Poloniato (DNF).

Unfortunately for Poloniato, his sled toppled over in both runs.

Kaillie Humphries did not start in the event, as she withdrew before the race.

Humphries had been hoping to compete along with Kasha Lee, Melissa Lotholz, and Cynthia Appiah, but she had to withdraw due to a back injury.