INNSBRUCK, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Huai Mingming/Huang JiaJia of China celebrated their best World Cup result to date in the ninth place here on Saturday in the two-woman bobsleigh at 2019/2020 IBSF World Cup.
Their compatriots Ying Qing/Du Jiani finished eighth, which was the best result for Du since her debut in IBSF World Cup in November 2019, and was the equal best result ranking for Ying, who snatched eighth position in Calgary in February 2019.
Finishing with a combined time of one minute and 48.30 seconds, Ying/Du trailed for only 0.03 seconds behind Beierl Katrin/Jennifer Jantina Oluumi Desire Onasanya of Austria. Huai/Huang were 1.27 seconds behind Ying/Du.
Both pairs stand out as the best among women bobsleigh athletes in China. Ying/Du were just crowned at the 14th Chinese National Winter Games, while Huai/Huang claimed the silver.
All of them, however, are late-starters of the discipline compared to athletes from the Alps. Ying and Huai first joined the Chinese national team in 2015, with Ying transferring from the 100-meter hurdle. Du and Huang didn't debut in IBSF tournaments until two seasons ago.
Olympic champion Mariama Jamanka of Germany won her first victory in Innsbruck with her brakewoman Annika Drazek for a combined time of one minute and 47.34 seconds. Their teammates Laura Nolte/Erline Nolte finished second with 0.19 seconds behind.
