The German men’s bobsleigh team aims for World Championship medals in the four-man event following strong showings in the two-man category. As the competition approaches, training faced challenges from top teams like Great Britain and the USA. The German women excelled, with standout performances from Lisa Buckwitz and Laura Nolte. Events are rescheduled due to warm weather. The championship culminates with crucial runs this weekend in Lake Placid, where Germany has already claimed medals in other categories.
Will the German men’s bobsleigh team clinch World Championship medals in the four-man event after their impressive performances in the two-man category? During training, they faced stiff competition, with Great Britain, the USA, and Switzerland taking the lead. On the other hand, the German women showcased their strength.
As the Bobsleigh World Championship approaches its final weekend, the German two-woman team is set to compete with personal best times. Meanwhile, the German four-man team has only completed two of the five scheduled test runs. The championship medals will be awarded on Friday, March 14, 2025, and Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Lake Placid. Due to a warm weather front with expected temperatures reaching up to 15 degrees Celsius, the world federation has rescheduled the events by a day.
German Team Skips Training
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, three training runs were available, along with two potential starts on Thursday, March 13, 2025. However, the German pilots, including four-man bobsleigh stars Francesco Friedrich, Johannes Lochner, Adam Ammour, and two-woman competitors Laura Nolte, Kim Kalicki, and Lisa Buckwitz, opted out of the Thursday runs. After his two-man victory the previous week, Friedrich had already expressed his desire to avoid training too close to the race, stating, ‘That’s too close to the race for us.’
Friedrich Anticipates Tough Competition
Friedrich, who narrowly edged out Lochner in the two-man event, remarked, ‘We know that it will be a bit tougher in the four-man than in the two-man.’ This prediction was evident during Wednesday’s training, where Friedrich placed fourth and second in his two runs, while Lochner finished fifth and third, and Ammour came in tenth and fifth.
Record-Breaking Performances by Hall, Del Luca, and Voigt
British athlete Bradley Hall set personal best times, having previously defeated the Germans twice this season. American local favorite Frank Del Luca also made his mark. Swiss competitor Michael Voigt was on track for a personal best during the second run but unfortunately crashed. However, he regained his momentum during Thursday’s training. The two runs missed by top athletes were won by the 2023 World Championship bronze medalist from the two-man event.
Lisa Buckwitz (Germany) celebrates (archive image).
Women’s Competition: Buckwitz Shines
Similarly, the elite women opted out on Thursday, but Wednesday saw a dominant performance from the Germans. Lisa Buckwitz conquered the ice track twice, securing victory in both runs. Monobob World Championship silver medalist Laura Nolte finished second in her runs, while Kim Kalicki placed third twice and claimed victory in the third run, which many athletes chose to skip. American Kaysha Love, the Monobob champion, finished eighth, fifth, and third.
Upcoming Championship Decisions
The World Championship events for women will take place over four runs on Friday and Saturday at 1 PM and 2:45 PM, while the men will compete at 6 PM and 7:30 PM on both days. The ski jumpers are set to commence the Raw-Air Tour, and the Bobsleigh World Championship is entering its exciting second half. Additionally, World Cups in Alpine skiing, biathlon, Nordic combined, and cross-country skiing are on the horizon.
The thrilling rivalry between Francesco Friedrich and Johannes Lochner in the two-man bobsleigh has captivated fans. The next chapter in the four-man event will unfold at the World Championship in Lake Placid this weekend.
German celebrations are in full swing at the Bobsleigh World Championship in Lake Placid, with all medals claimed by Germany. Francesco Friedrich proudly holds the title of the new and reigning World Champion.
Laura Nolte has secured World Championship silver in Monobob, narrowly losing to a local competitor.
The highly anticipated decision for the women’s Monobob championship is just around the corner in Lake Placid, with the fourth run set to be a highlight.
Following three runs, Francesco Friedrich is currently in the lead for the two-man event. Will he capture the coveted World Championship gold? The fourth and decisive run awaits.