U.S. skeleton racer disqualified an hour after World Cup win - Los Angeles Times
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U.S. skeleton racer disqualified an hour after World Cup win

Noelle Pikus-Pace jumps on her sled during a run in the skeleton race at the World Cup event in Calgary, Canada, on Saturday.
Noelle Pikus-Pace jumps on her sled during a run in the skeleton race at the World Cup event in Calgary, Canada, on Saturday.
(Todd Korol / Getty Images)
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You don’t see this in the NFL.

Noelle Pikus-Pace, a top American in the Winter Olympic sport of skeleton, won a season-opening World Cup race in Calgary, Canada, only to be told -- an hour or so later -- that she had been disqualified.

The reason? Her sled failed a post-race inspection because of an extra piece of tape wrapped around the handle.

“Clearly, clearly, I should not have been disqualified,†Pikus-Pace told the Associated Press in a telephone interview. “I’m so frustrated.â€

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The sled had been approved for competition earlier in the week, but the British team reportedly complained afterward.

“People get away with whatever, and I get disqualified for a piece of tape?†Pikus-Pace said. “A piece of tape that they said was OK? It has no competitive advantage whatsoever.â€

The ruling shifted Britain’s Elizabeth Yarnold into first, with Russia’s Elena Nikitina and Australia’s Michelle Steele taking second and third.

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U.S. officials have appealed.

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