Francesco Friedrich of Germany continued his dominance in bobsled racing with a remarkable win in the IBSF four-man event in Igls, Austria. This victory marked the 100th triumph of his illustrious career, achieved across both World Cup and world championship competitions.
Friedrich’s unparalleled success includes an impressive tally of 35 wins in World Cup four-man races, along with 51 triumphs in World Cup two-man events. Additionally, he has secured eight two-man world championships and six four-man world championships, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Notably, Friedrich has also clinched four Olympic gold medals, two in the two-man discipline and two in the four-man category.
The German bobsled maestro’s recent performances highlight his extraordinary consistency and excellence on the track. He has reached the podium in 31 out of his last 32 World Cup four-man races and an impressive 60 out of his last 62 World Cup two-man events. Despite settling for silver in the two-man race in Igls the day before, Friedrich’s overall World Cup record boasts an impressive 142 medals in 197 races, a testament to his remarkable skill and determination.
In the four-man race in Igls, Brad Hall of Britain secured the silver medal, with Johannes Lochner of Germany claiming the third spot on the podium. Frank del Duca represented the United States with a solid 10th-place finish, showcasing the competitive nature of the field.
The two-woman race saw German dominance, with Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi clinching the top spot, followed by teammates Kim Kalicki and Leonie Fiebig in second place. Meanwhile, Lisa Buckwitz and Neele Schuten completed the German sweep by securing the third position. Elana Meyers Taylor and Jasmine Jones led the U.S. contingent with a commendable fourth-place finish, demonstrating their competitive spirit and determination on the icy track.
Over in Winterberg, Germany, Jonas Mueller of Austria shone brightly with a stellar performance in the World Cup men’s singles luge race. Mueller’s double-gold day also included a victory in the team relay event, where he played a pivotal role in Austria’s triumph.
In the men’s singles competition, Mueller held off Max Langenhan of Germany to claim the top honors, with Nico Gleirscher of Austria finishing in third place. The top American finisher, Jonny Gustafson, showcased his skills by securing the 20th spot in a highly competitive field.
Austria’s team, comprising Mueller, Madeleine Egle, Juri Gatt, Riccardo Schoepf, Selina Egle, and Lara Kipp, put on a stellar performance in the team relay, clinching the first position. Germany and Italy completed the podium, finishing second and third, respectively. Despite a strong showing from Emily Sweeney, who recorded the fastest split among all women’s
