Brad Hall second in Sigulda, Oskars Kibermanis celebrates first podium of the winter
Sigulda (RWH) Bobsleigh pilot Francesco Friedrich (GER) is back on track at the BMW IBSF World Cup 2021/2022. After finishing twelfth in the 2-man bobsleigh the day before - the only result outside the podium in more than four years - the Olympic and World Champion and World Cup title defender celebrated his fifth victory in the sixth race of the season, this time with push athlete Thorsten Margis.
Brad Hall from Great Britain came in second, as he did in the first 2-man bobsleigh World Cup in Sigulda. This time pushed by Nick Gleeson, the Brits were 0.06 seconds behind winner Friedrich.
Local hero Oskars Kibermanis (LAT, 0.55 seconds back), the overall World Cup runner-up of 2019 and 2020, celebrated the first podium of the Olympic season on his home track together with pusher Matiss Miknis. The Latvians' best result of the season so far was an eighth place the day before in Sigulda. For Kibermanis, the 2020 World Cup bronze medallist, it was the 20th podium finish in the BMW IBSF World Cup.
Won Yunjong from Korea, overall World Cup winner in 2016, celebrated his best 2-man bobsleigh result in Sigulda in more than two years. With push athlete Kim Jinsu, he finished sixth, as he last did in Lake Placid (USA) in December 2019.
Bobsleigh pilot Rostislav Gaitiukevich from Russia, who celebrated his first victory in the series at the first 2-man bobsleigh World Cup in Sigulda the day before, finished seventh this time, pushed by Alexandr Efimov.
In the overall ranking of the BMW IBSF World Cup 2021/2022 Francesco Friedrich (GER, 1253 points) extended his lead again. Rostislav Gaitiukevich (RUS, 1137) is currently second overall after six of the eight season races ahead of Canada's Justin Kripps (1120), who finished eighth this time in Sigulda.
For more detailed information including athlete profiles and results please visit ibsf.org. Photos for editorial use can be found at Flickr. ©RWH2022
Photos: IBSF / Viesturs Lacis
