Francesco Friedrich triumphed in the two-man bobsleigh event in Winterberg, achieving his 50th World Cup win and leading a German sweep of the podium. Adam Ammour secured second place after overcoming previous challenges, while Lisa Buckwitz excelled in the women’s monobob, setting a new track record and claiming her second victory of the season. Local favorite Laura Nolte finished fifth, and Kim Kalicki placed eighth, both aiming for improvement in future competitions.
Francesco Friedrich Dominates in Winterberg’s Two-Man Bobsleigh
World champion Francesco Friedrich showcased his exceptional skills in the two-man bobsleigh event, leading a remarkable German triple victory in Winterberg. This impressive feat comes after a tough outing in Sigulda, where Friedrich finished third and allowed his main rival, Johannes Lochner, to take the lead for the first time this season.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, Friedrich, alongside pusher Alexander Schüller, executed a perfect run that secured their first place. They finished ahead of Adam Ammour (with Benedikt Hertel, +0.21 seconds), while Lochner (with Joshua Tasche, +0.62) rounded out the all-German podium. This victory was particularly meaningful for Friedrich as it marked his 50th World Cup win in the two-man bobsleigh category, adding to his legacy as a four-time Olympic champion.
Ammour’s Stellar Comeback
Adam Ammour, who had faced challenges including crashes at the World Cup in Sigulda and a significant fall during four-man bobsleigh training, expressed his joy at clinching second place. “It was a very strong fall here, so I didn’t know how I would manage it mentally,” Ammour remarked in a post-race interview. “I’m very happy with how it went. It was a great comeback.” Friedrich acknowledged Ammour’s impressive performance, stating, “Adam did a great job.”
Friedrich returned to Winterberg with fond memories, having won his world championship titles here the previous year. His love for the ice channel was evident as he set a new track record during his first run, clocking in at an impressive 54.05 seconds—leaving Lochner (+0.27) and Ammour (+0.31) trailing behind. British competitor Brad Hall finished fourth, half a second slower than Friedrich.
In the second run, Friedrich maintained his commanding position despite Ammour’s strong performance. Although Friedrich admitted to a slight hiccup at the start, he delivered a flawless run that ensured his lead remained secure. “In the second run, curve zero didn’t work out, otherwise it was okay,” he noted.
Lisa Buckwitz Shines in Monobob
Meanwhile, in the women’s monobob event, Lisa Buckwitz continued her stellar form from last season, claiming her second victory of the season in Winterberg, complete with a new track record. Buckwitz entered the second run leading by just 0.03 seconds over Melanie Hasler, who was determined to pressure her rival.
Despite the tight competition, Buckwitz remained composed and extended her lead, ultimately breaking the previous track record set by Australian Breeana Walker, who finished third (+0.28 seconds). Buckwitz crossed the finish line with a time of 58.25 seconds, securing her win by 0.09 seconds over Hasler. This victory propelled her to the top of the overall standings, marking her second win in three races this season.
However, Buckwitz reflected on her performance with a critical eye, stating, “There were small mistakes everywhere, and the start didn’t go so well because I trained hard for two weeks. That’s something to build on.” Known for her unexpected triumph as the two-man bobsleigh Olympic champion in Pyeongchang in 2018, Buckwitz continues to impress in her sport.
Local favorite Laura Nolte faced challenges as well, finishing fifth (+0.42 seconds) after struggling with her start. Nolte was in fourth place heading into the second run but could not overcome her earlier mistakes. “I’m satisfied with the start times, but curve zero didn’t work out twice, so you can’t make up for that,” Nolte explained.
Kim Kalicki also fell short of the podium, finishing in eighth place (+0.66 seconds) after starting the season with two fourth-place finishes. Despite her setbacks, she remains determined to improve in future races.