Skeleton Olympics: Canadian John Montgomery Wins Gold Medal – Canadian Jon Montgomery slid his way to a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics on Friday. The 30-year-old from Russell, Man., overcame powerhouse Latvian Martins Dukurs on his final run to secure Canada’s second straight gold in Olympic men’s skeleton. Duff Gibson won four years ago in Turin, Italy. It’s Canada’s fourth gold of the Vancouver Games.

During the flower ceremony, a pumped-up Montgomery, wearing a red and white Canada tuque with a pompom on top, jumped up on the podium. Afterwards, he grabbed a Canadian flag and held high for screaming fans.

Calgary’s Jeff Pain, silver medallist in Turin, was ninth in his final Olympics. Michael Douglas of Kleinburg, Ont., had a strong start but a heartbreaking finish after he was disqualified when he didn’t get his sled to officials in time for the mandated post-race check.

Montgomery was second behind Dukurs after each of the first three runs, but his 52.36-second final run, saw him eclipse the Latvian by 0.07 seconds.

Russia’s Alexander Tretiakov was one second back in bronze. Britain’s Kristan Bromley had his two quickest slides but could not improve from his overnight sixth, while Adam Pengilly finished in 18th

The men’s race was a two-man battle right from the start between Montgomery and Dukurs. Sliding in his first Olympics, Montgomery was fifth on the World Cup circuit this season, but won gold in Cesana, Italy.

Meanwhile, Amy Williams has won the gold medal in women’s skeleton, becoming Britain’s first individual Winter Olympic champion since figure skater Robin Cousins 30 years ago.

Williams finished four runs at the Whistler Sliding Center in 3 minutes, 35.64 seconds. Germany’s Kerstin Szymkowiak won the silver, and another German, Anja Huber, won the bronze

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