Apia wins bronze in women’s singles at FIFA World Cup final

       Toronto’s Cynthia Appia took bronze in the season’s final World Cup monocoque race in Sigulda, Latvia on Saturday.
        Apia, 32, tied Chinese player Qingying two points in 1:47.10. American Kylie Humphreys was first in 1:46.52 and Kim Kaliki of Germany was second in 1:46.96.
        “I missed a game here last year due to the COVID outbreak in our team,” Appiah said. “So I came here with some fear and I didn’t have the best training week.
        “Sigulda is more like a sledge-skeleton track, so it is much more difficult to navigate on a sledge. My goal is to run as clean as possible, knowing that my start, coupled with a decent run, will take me to the podium.”
       Appiah started fast in both races (5.62 and 5.60) but struggled to finish at the bottom of the track.
        “I knew I had what it takes to win the race, but the mistakes I made in turn 15 in both races cost me a lot of time,” Appiah said. “Hopefully the tour will come back here in the next few years.
       “The track is similar to Lake Placid and Altenberg, two tracks that I enjoy riding and suit my driving style.”
       Appiah is third overall in the World Cup with one silver and four bronze medals in eight games.
        “It was a tough season, but overall it was fun to ride and I found the joy that the last few years have been lacking,” she said. “It revived my passion for driving.”
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