Robert Pipkins and Maryann Baribault moved one step closer to the U.S. Olympic luge team Saturday by winning the men's and women's titles, respectively, in the NYNEX U.S. National Championships.
Racing on the 1980 Olympic course at Mount Van Hoevenberg, Pipkins came from third place after one heat and continued his dominance of Lake Placid to win a fourth national title. The victory, coupled with another two months ago, puts the veteran racer on the U.S. luge squad entering the 1997-98 Olympic season. It was the two-time Olympians fifth straight triumph in Lake Placid.The winner's two-run total time was 1 minute, 17.208 seconds.
"It's nice to race here, but whenever I do, there is pressure because I've won so much that I cant get better here," said Pipkins of Bloomfield, N.J.
After training from the men's start most of the week, Pipkins was affected when race organizers decided to drop the start to the lower ladies start due to inclement weather.
Pipkins bested Larry Dolan of Morrisonville, N.Y., second in 1:17.339. Adam Heidt of Lake Placid was third in 1:17.342.