From Sigulda, LAT
(Nov. 28, 2020) – For three straight races Francesco Friedrich has needed something special to win gold in Sigulda. And for three straight races he’s done something special to win gold in Sigulda.
For the third race of the season, Friedrich had to hold off Oskars Kibermanis, who regained his form after a disappointing opening set of races on home ice. In the first heat, Friedrich broke the track record held by teammate Johannes Lochner, but saw his record only last a matter of minutes after Kibermanis lowered that record by another .02 to 49.45.
On the second run Friedrich lowered the record again, this time to 49.31, putting the pressure on the big Latvian. Kibermanis matched Friedrich at the start, but couldn’t quite match the German’s speed, finishing a tenth behind Friedrich.
The gold medal for Friedrich is his 29th in two-man bobsled, while the silver for Kibermanis is his fifth.
While he was unable to match the pace of Friedrich and Kibermanis, Switzerland’s Simon Friedli finished third for his second career IBSF World Cup medal. His first was a silver medal in the 2019/2020 season finale in Sigulda. The bronze medal is the third in three races for Switzerland, with Michael Vogt winning the first two.
Christoph Hafer finished fourth, just ahead of teammate Johannes Lochner in fifth. Czechia’s Dominik Dvorak rounded out the top six.
Oskars Melbardis got the start for Latvia after sitting out the opening weekend’s pair of races. He came into the second heat tied with Johannes Lochner for sixth, but was edged out by the German in the second heat to finish seventh.
France’s Dorian Hauterville was injured on his first run, and replaced by Lionel Lefebvre.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the United States, Canada, Korea, and China all are sitting out the first half of the IBSF season.
Results:
| Pos | Names | Nation | Bib | Start 1 | Start 2 | Run 1 | Run 2 | Total |
| 1 | Friedrich / Margis | GER | 5 | 4.83 | 4.81 | 49.47 | 49.31 | 1:38.78 |
| 2 | Kibermanis / Miknis | LAT | 8 | 4.85 | 4.81 | 49.45 | 49.43 | 1:38.88 |
| 3 | Friedli / Jones | SUI | 4 | 4.88 | 4.91 | 49.57 | 49.63 | 1:39.20 |
| 4 | Hafer / Hammers | GER | 7 | 4.98 | 4.98 | 49.65 | 49.63 | 1:39.28 |
| 5 | Lochner / Franke | GER | 11 | 4.84 | 4.84 | 49.73 | 49.61 | 1:39.34 |
| 6 | Dvorak / Nosek | CZE | 3 | 4.92 | 4.93 | 49.70 | 49.75 | 1:39.45 |
| 7 | Melbardis / Dambis | LAT | 13 | 4.97 | 4.99 | 49.73 | 49.75 | 1:39.48 |
| 8 | Vogt / Knuser | SUI | 6 | 5.07 | 5.03 | 49.91 | 49.74 | 1:39.65 |
| 9 | Berzins / Nemme | LAT | 10 | 4.89 | 4.93 | 49.84 | 49.82 | 1:39.66 |
| 10 | Baumgartner / Bilotti | ITA | 9 | 5.03 | 5.04 | 49.90 | 49.91 | 1:39.81 |
| 11 | Tentea / Dobre | ROU | 12 | 4.95 | 4.96 | 49.99 | 49.94 | 1:39.93 |
| 12 | Heinrich / Hauterville (1) / Lefebvre (2) | FRA | 1 | 5.31 | 4.97 | 50.54 | 49.89 | 1:40.43 |
| 13 | Variola / Pagnini | ITA | 2 | 5.04 | 5.02 | 50.23 | 50.69 | 1:40.92 |
