Winter sports
Bobsleigh record champion Friedrich’s goals clearly defined
Bobsleigh pilot Francesco Friedrich celebrates after his World Cup victory. photo
© Robert Michael/dpa
Even after World Cup gold number 16, Friedrich has further goals. The next victory is already planned for the World Cup final in Lake Placid. But the next World Cup location is a problem for the Saxon.
Bobsleigh record world champion Francesco Friedrich still has plans for the next big victories. A piece of the puzzle is already missing from the collection of titles at the World Cup final from March 21st to 23rd in Lake Placid.
Although the overall World Cup victory in the small and large sleds can hardly be taken away from him, he has never won on the track at Mount van Hoevenberg in the four-man bobsleigh. “If we don’t make it at the World Cup final now, then at the World Cup next year at the latest. That’s another track that we’re missing. Lillehammer will probably be in the World Cup next year too, so we still have to win in pairs. We have There are still a few tasks that we have to fulfill,” said Friedrich in Winterberg after his fifth World Cup double.
World Cup finals in Lake Placid:
The two crystal balls for overall victory in the two-man and four-man bobsleigh have practically already been won. Also because long-term rival Johannes Lochner was unable to start after his crash in Altenberg. “Nothing can go wrong. But you also have to say that it is because of Hansi’s fall. Otherwise we wouldn’t have had a chance in the two-man bobsleigh.”
Twos or fours – which discipline is more important to him?
“It’s hard to say that, we always want to win everything. There are no compromises,” said the 33-year-old and added: “But it’s better in a foursome because almost the entire team is involved. And because you have one “We have to deliver an incredible team performance throughout the year. That’s why the foursome is the more important title.”
The long view of the 2026 Olympics:
Two-time double Olympic champion Friedrich has his sights set on the Olympics as his top priority. “We are preparing one thousand percent again so that we can deliver our performance at the Winter Games,” said the Saxon. Because his fifth Olympic gold is important to him in order to overtake André Lange with four gold and one silver as pilot and pusher Kevin Kuske with four gold and two silver. His targeted magical mark of 100 World Cup victories is still achievable, even if there are only two winters left with a maximum of 32 races in both disciplines when his career ends in 2026. Friedrich currently has 77 World Cup victories: 46 in the two-man bobsleigh, 31 in the four-man bobsleigh.
End of career still open:
So far the goal was the 2026 Olympics in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo. But for the first time, Friedrich left the end of his career open. “We don’t yet know what comes next. Probably nothing more, but we’ll just let that happen for now,” he said.