2016/2017 IBSF World Cup – Two-Man Bobsled – Race 6

Rom Königssee, GER

Königssee is the kind of track that lends itself to tight racing, and it didn’t disappoint in two-man bobsled.

Johannes Lochner came into the second heat just ahead of teammate Francesco Friedrich and Steven Holcomb, with second through seventh separated by less than .2. As the teams came down in the second run, it became obvious that it was going to take a perfect drive to hold onto the medals.

Holcomb’s drive was perfect, putting the pressure on the two Germans. Friedrich struggled getting into his sled, throwing his entire run out of whack. Friedrich seemed like he would stay ahead of Holcomb, but came back to the American on the uphill portion of the track. As Friedrich crossed the line, he found himself tied with Steven Holcomb with just Johannes Lochner to beat.

Much like Friedrich, Lochner had trouble getting in his sled. Unlike Friedrich, Lochner pieced together a clean enough run to beat Holcomb and Friedrich to win his second gold in as many races. Holcomb and Friedrich tied for second.

Alexey Stulnev moved up from seventh to fourth in the second run, finishing just ahead of Latvians Oskars Kibermanis and Oskars Melbardis.

American Codie Bascue finished 20th after a big skid going into the bendaway in the second run put him back one spot from his tie for 19th with Rudy Rinaldi. Justin Olsen had a major skid that lasted from the exit of the S4 curve all the way to the end of the bendaway, resulting in a 29th place finish.

For Canada, neither Justin Kripps or Chris Spring could find speed in their sleds despite two very clean runs. Kripps finished 11th, while Spring finished 15th. Their teammate, Nick Poloniato, struggled in his first run and finished tied for 24th.

It was a tale of two races for Great Britain. Bruce Tasker had a great first run, and his second run was enough to keep him in eighth place.  On the other hand, Bradley Hall had an otherwise clean run, but trouble at the top marred the British pilot. He finished 27th.

Rudy Rinaldi of Monaco moved up from a tie for 19th with Codie Bascue after the first run all the way to tying a career-best 14th after two runs. Rinaldi’s second run was the sixth fastest of the second heat.

Results: