Laura Nolte and Francesco Friedrich excelled in Lillehammer, winning the overall World Cup titles in bobsleigh. Nolte triumphed in the two-man event, outperforming teammate Lisa Buckwitz, while Friedrich secured his title with a second-place finish in the four-man race behind Johannes Lochner. Both athletes showcased Germany’s strength in the sport, with Nolte dominating her events and Friedrich continuing a fierce rivalry. As they prepare for the upcoming World Championships in Lake Placid, fierce competition within the team remains evident.
German Triumphs in Lillehammer: Nolte and Friedrich Claim World Cup Titles
In a thrilling display of athletic prowess, Laura Nolte and Francesco Friedrich emerged victorious in Lillehammer, securing the overall World Cup titles for women and men respectively. The competition within the German bobsleigh team remains fierce, highlighting the depth of talent in their ranks.
As the final World Cup event approached in Lillehammer, hopes for rival competitors were dwindling. However, on the morning of February 16, 2025, Laura Nolte from BSC Winterberg dashed any remaining hopes by clinching victory in the two-man bobsleigh, finishing ahead of her teammate Lisa Buckwitz.
Unmatched Dominance of German Bobsleigh Teams
In the afternoon, Francesco Friedrich from BSC Sachsen Oberbärenburg followed suit, needing only a second-place finish in the four-man bobsleigh to secure his title, finishing behind fierce competitor Johannes Lochner from Schönau am Königssee. Friedrich had already earned the two-man overall World Cup title the previous day with another strong performance.
The results speak volumes: once again, German athletes proved to be a dominant force in the fast-paced world of bobsleigh racing. The sport requires not only explosive push power from the team of up to four but also meticulous technical adjustments for optimal performance on the ice track.
After the first run, Lochner demonstrated his skill, clocking in nine hundredths of a second faster than Friedrich, further extending his lead to over three tenths to secure victory. Friedrich and British athlete Brad Hall followed in second and third, respectively, showcasing a competitive field.
Nolte’s exceptional performance in the two-man bobsleigh saw her maintain and extend her lead from the outset, eventually securing victory over Buckwitz and Canadian competitor Melissa Lotholz. “I am very satisfied,” she remarked after her win, emphasizing her strong start time. Buckwitz had triumphed in the monobob category just a day prior, adding to the German team’s accolades.
Looking ahead, Laura Nolte, who claimed Olympic gold in Beijing 2022 alongside pusher Deborah Levi, is not just the two-man bobsleigh overall World Cup champion this season but has also triumphed in five of the seven competitions. She also secured the European Championship title and excelled in both two-man bobsleigh and monobob combined events.
As the World Championships approach in Lake Placid in early March, Nolte is considered a frontrunner for the title, with stiff competition expected from her teammates, including overall World Cup second-place finisher Kim Kalicki and third-place Buckwitz.
On the men’s side, an exhilarating rivalry between Friedrich and Lochner is anticipated, while Adam Ammour, who finished seventh on Sunday, may face challenges in keeping pace with the frontrunners.
Despite the team’s success, internal dynamics within the German Bobsleigh and Toboggan Association (BSD) have raised questions. Kalicki, who finished fourth, highlighted the individualistic nature of competition, stating, “Everyone fights for themselves. It wasn’t like that this week.” This sentiment reflects the competitive spirit that permeates the team, even as they gear up for the upcoming World Championships.
As the fastest winter sport continues to unfold, the rivalry between Francesco Friedrich and Johannes Lochner promises to deliver thrilling moments, where friendships may take a backseat to the pursuit of victory.