Kelowna’s Eric Neilson is closing in on a berth with Canada’s national skeleton team for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
The 31-year-old Neilson moved a step closer to his ultimate goal by finishing sixth at a World Cup event last weekend in Igls, Austria.
The Rutland grad needs just one top-six finish on the World Cup circuit next season to earn a trip to Sochi, Russia next year.
Neilson, who was feeling ill in the days leading leading into the race, was happy with the result.
“(The race) was pretty decent,” said Neilson.”I didn’t push as well as I had hoped, but considering I have had a fever, and have been sick all week, I’m pretty pleased. I’m glad I woke up this morning and felt better. It’s nice to go into World Championships with a good result.”
Neilson is now seventh overall in the World Cup standings for 2012-13. He has a career-high six top-10 finishes this season.
The Skeleton World Championships are scheduled for Feb. 1 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
The next World Cup race is Feb. 13 in Sochi, Russia.
Nielson is the defending Canadian men’s skeleton champion. He lives and trains in Calgary.
