Altenberg (dpa) - Bob pilot Francesco Friedrich shocked the competition at the Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup in Altenberg on the way to the sixth world title in a two-man bobsleigh.
With 54:00 seconds, the local hero from BSC Sachsen Oberbärenburg improved the track record he had previously held by just under half a second in the first run. After another good race in 54.09 seconds and a total time of 1: 48.09 minutes, the 29-year-old goes into the final rounds on Sunday with a huge lead of over nine tenths of a second (2.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. / ARD).
The other three German bobsleigh teams placed behind Friedrich. Friedrich's club colleague Nico Walther took second place in 1: 49.03 minutes ahead of Johannes Lochner from Stuttgart (1: 49.18). Local hero Richard Oelsner dropped back by one place after the first run (1: 49.19), while Lette Oskars Kibermanis (1: 49.21) placed behind Friedrich after the first race by three places. Favorite Justin Kripps (1: 49.60) from Canada is in a disappointing ninth place after two races.
Bobsleigh World Championships Altenberg
Website of the bobsleigh and sledge association for Germany