The 2009-2010 World Cup bobsled season kicked off Friday in Park City with the American women showing surprisingly well. Erin Pac and Bree Schaff snagged third and fourth place, respectively, with times of 1:40.32 and 1:40.43.

Germany's Cathleen Martini posted a stellar performance, winning first place with a time of 1:39.92. Sandra Kiriasis, also of Germany, placed second in 1:40.12.

After the race, Schaaf exclaimed, "I'm so happy, but I am mildly disappointed because I was planning on winning."

Her partner, Ingrid Marcum, said, "We're never happy, we always want more."

Schaaf has been sliding bobsled since 2007, previously competing in the skeleton since 2002. She is from Bremerton, Wash.

The men's competition went late into the night, with temperatures dropping well below freezing.

Park City resident Steve Holcomb posted a good first run, tying for fourth place at 48.73. However, he said, "My time is good, but the race wasn't great." He said he was trying out new equipment and so far he liked it.

But in the end, he remained in fourth place, posting a combined time of 1:37.48

Talking about the track, Holcomb said, "(It) depends on who you talk to. Some say it is really nice. I thought it was a little bumpy. But it's in pretty good shape. It makes it a challenge for everybody, including myself." Curtis Tomasevicz makes up the other half of the Holcomb duo.

Switzerland's Beat Hefti held off the Americans, claiming the gold medal despite bruising his ribs in the first run. His time of 1:37.08 bested second-place finisher Todd Hayes of the USA. Hefti complimented his brakeman, Alex Baumann.

Hayes said he used to live in Heber City and loves this track and this area. His first run landed him in second place with a time of 48.53 and he gave credit to his brakeman, Steven Langton. "He got me great velocity at the start."

His combined time for both runs was 1:37.19.

"It feels good," said Hayes, "just like in 2002." (He won the silver medal in the 2002 Olympics and at 40 years old is making a comeback of sorts.)

Taking the bronze medal with a time of 137.25 was the Swiss duo of Ivo Rueegg and Cedric Grand.

The 4-Man Bobsled competition begins today at 4 p.m.

World Cup

at Olympic Park, Park City

1. Germany, Martini, 1:39.92; 2. Germany, Kirasis, 1:40.12; 3. USA, Pac, 1;40.32; 4. USA, Schaaf, 1:40.43; 5. Canada, Upperton, 1:40.45.

Men's Bobsled

1. Switzerland, Hefti, 1:37.08; 2. USA, Hayes, 1:37.19; 3. Switzerland, Rueegg, 1:37.25; 4. USA, Holcomb, 1:37.48; 5. Russia, Zubkov, 1:37...56; 12. USA, Napier, 1:37.92.

e-mail: wjewkes@desnews.com