Kripps cruises to bobsleigh gold in Germany on his birthday

Justin Krippsand Alexander Kopaczslid to a gold medal on Saturdayat a World Cup event inAltenberg, Germany.

The gold medal was the first of the season for Kripps,who has finished with silver three times already this season. He also registered 5.11 seconds tobreaka 14-year-old track start record. Overall, Krippsclockeda two-run time of one minute, 49.21 seconds and he did all of it onhis 31st birthday.

• Kaillie Humphries, Phylicia George golden at bobsleigh World Cup

"Things are definitely rolling," Kripps said. "To win here in Altenberg on such a tough track is just awesome. Everything is coming together. I have more experience driving now. I went out and got the exact equipment and runners that I wanted, which is making a big difference."

"We showed up and pushed today," Kopacz said. "We reviewed the first push and identified one minor mistake and we nailed it on the second run. When things are going good it feels effortless. It is unbelievable. I'm just over the moon right now.

"We have been training hard and I felt it was a matter of time until things paid off. We are heading in the right direction and it is a lot of fun right now."

Justin Kripps and Alexander Kopacz speed to World Cup gold in Germany

7 years ago

Duration 2:59

The Canadian pair won their first gold of the season to stay atop the World Cup standings with 1239 points

Germany secured the final two spots on the podium, with the duo of Francesco FriedrichandMartin Grothkoppgrabbing silver at 0.09 seconds back, andNicoWaltherand Christian Poser taking bronze at 0.27 seconds.

Canadians Nick Poloniato and Neville Wright finished fifth with a time of 1:49.80 (0.59 seconds back), and Chris Spring and Jesse Lumsden placed 13th.

Krippsstayedatop the World Cup standings with 1239 points. Spring is second at 1091, followed by Friedrichat 1069.

Canada'sKaillieHumphriesandPhyliciaGeorge scored women's bobsleigh gold earlier in the day.

You can also catch morebobsleigh actionSunday morningon CBCSports.ca.