Königssee (RWH): Led by Skeleton World Champion Jacqueline Lölling and World Championship runner-ups Tina Hermann and Axel Jungk, the German team is ready for the 2017/2018 BMW IBSF World Cup, as announced by the German Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton Federation (BSD). The trio had already been confirmed for the team based on their results from last season. At the two qualification sessions in Winterberg and Königssee, Sophia Griebel, Alexander Gassner and Christopher Grotheer all secured their tickets to the World Cup.
Sophia Griebel, who has just returned from an 18-month period of injury, is celebrating her comeback to the highest ranking race series run by the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF). “Sophia met the standard start time for the World Cup on multiple occasions. Anna was unable to do the same,” explained head coach Jens Müller in reference to his decision to select Sophia Griebel over Anna Fernstädt, after both athletes were tied on equal points following the selection sessions. “We once again have a World Cup standard start time to measure athletes against, and in this case, it turned out to be crucial.” The coaches are still open to switching out the male and female athletes during the course of the season.
The World Cup team will set off for PyeongChang (KOR) on 19 October to attend the international training week on the new Olympic track. The BMW IBSF World Cup will open the season in Lake Placid (USA) on 6 November. ©RWH2017

Photo: Viesturs Lacis