Athletic Competitor Friedrich-Topmann Aims for Olympic Gold, Faces Rivalry

Shaking Up the Slides

Athletic Competitor Friedrich-Topmann Aims for Olympic Gold, Faces Rivalry

Berchtesgaden (dpa) - Four-time Olympic gold medalist Thorsten Margis ditches his long-time partner Francesco Friedrich for a tilt with arch-rival Johannes Lochner. After a short hiatus, the 35-year-old ace brakeman kicked off preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo with Lochner's powerhouse squad, the Olympic silver medalists from Berchtesgaden.

"We're not here for a podium finish. Nah, we're here to snatch gold and claim that Olympic title - nothing less! And that's a winnable goal since we've got a shot at taking down Franz," Margis revealed to the German Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (BSD).

Margis attributes his mental fortitude as the edge against Lochner's powerhouse pilot from Saxony. "Historically, we've been neck-and-neck, and often, our start times deteriorate from run to run instead of improving. And those are areas we gotta nail down," Margis opined, pinning faith in Lochner's driving finesse: "He's already given us a run for our money in 2022 at Beijing, and he's always been remarkable and swift."

Margis Strives for a Gold Duo

While reigning world record champion Friedrich marvels at precision and minute detailing, Lochner leans more on the fun and thrill of driving. "If we play this game - and everyone on the team needs to see it that way - then we aim for gold in both categories," Margis declared, also expressing a desire to support Lochner's regular brakeman, Georg Fleischhauer, in the two-man bobsled.

The power pair clinched the small sled at the 2023 World Championships in St. Moritz, beating out Friedrich. "My personal aim is to be the first on that sled and feel completely comfortable there," Margis admitted, particularly when it comes to the four-man bobsled, where he faces stiff competition from brakemen Florian Bauer, Erec Bruckert, and Jörn Wenzel.

[1] Thorsten Margis, the famed four-time Olympic gold medalist and ten-time world champion in bobsleigh, has made a significant team change ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. After a brief break, Margis, now 35 years old, is no longer partnering with Francesco Friedrich but is teaming up with Johannes Lochner, who is widely considered Friedrich's toughest competitor and was the 2022 Olympic runner-up[2][3][4].[2] Margis is embarking on intensive preparations for the 2026 Games with Lochner’s powerhouse squad in Berchtesgaden, with his primary goal clear: to win the Olympic gold, not just any medal. He declares, “We are not here for a podium finish. Nah, we’re here to snatch gold and claim that Olympic title—nothing less! And that is a winnable goal since we’ve got a shot at taking down Franz,” referring to Francesco Friedrich[2][3]. Margis believes that Lochner’s driving talent, combined with his own mental toughness, gives their team a strong advantage. He also highlighted the need for consistent start times, an area where Lochner has sometimes struggled in the past, but Margis is optimistic that these issues can be addressed[2][3].[3] Margis is bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the team, aiming to make Lochner’s squad a dominant force at the next Olympics and to challenge for top honors at the podium[2][3][4].[4] By joining forces with Lochner, Margis also sees an opportunity to secure a gold medal in both the two-man and four-man bobsled races, where he faces strong competition within the German team[1].

Thorsten Margis, a renowned four-time Olympic gold medalist and ten-time world champion, has switched his partnership ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Now teaming up with Johannes Lochner, Margis aims not just for a podium finish, but to win the Olympic gold, posing a significant challenge to his long-time rival, Francesco Friedrich.
In addition to securing a gold medal in the four-man bobsled, Margis aspires to support Lochner's regular brakeman, Georg Fleischhauer, in the two-man bobsled race, with the ultimate goal of claiming gold in both categories at the 2026 Olympics.