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Women to race with men at World Cup bobsled event

Elana Meyers Taylor, shown at the women's bobsled World Cup on Dec. 13, is one of two women who will race with men at a World Cup event in Calgary, Canada, this weekend.
(Mike Groll / Associated Press)
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Two female bobsledders will make history this weekend when they race with men at a World Cup event in Calgary, Canada.

Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States and Kaillie Humphries of Canada will pilot sleds in the four-man event, taking advantage of a new international rule that makes the race gender-neutral.

“Of course it’s a historic moment and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Meyers Taylor said. “But my focus right now is on the competition.”

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She and Humphries -- who often train together -- qualified as pilots during recent team selection races. Each will be in the driver’s seat for their respective nations’ No. 3 sleds.

Because the rule change is so recent, organizers have not adjusted event schedules. That means Meyers Taylor and Humphries will have only an hour between the women’s and four-man races.

The American said: “It’s going to be a challenge with two races back-to-back but, hey, maybe this will just show even more how resilient and tough women bobsledders are.”

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Twitter: @latimeswharton

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