Montgomery, Hollingsworth go for gold

WHISTLER, B.C. - The hard work and training is done, so too are the first two runs.

Tonight at the Whistler Sliding Centre, Jon Montgomery is in position and ready to go for gold in men’s skeleton. With women’s teammate Melissa Hollingsworth also in the medal hunt, it could be a big night on Blackcomb Mountain.

Montgomery, a Russell, Man. native, is in second place, only .26 of a second behind favourite Martin Dukurs of Latvia heading into tonight’s final two runs.

“I am really pleased with the way I am sliding,” Montgomery said. “I had two good consistent runs.”

“I can’t ask for a faster start time. I came out today and matched my (personal best). If I can do that again (tonight), I will be a happy boy.”

Hollingsworth, who came here a solid gold-medal favourite, sits third in the women’s event but has room for improvement. With glitches in each of her first two runs, Hollingsworth has some ground to make up on leader Amy Williams of Great Britain, who has a .39-second lead over the Eckville, Alta. native.

“I just have to go out there and be myself,” said Hollingsworth, who won bronze at the Torino Olympics.

The final two women’s runs are first up tonight, followed by the men.

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