Title: Teaming up for Gold: Margis Hops on Board with Rival Lochner for Olympic Victory
Friedrich-Topmann sets his sights on Olympic gold, coveting victory over opponents - Competitor Friedrich-Topmann eyes Olympic gold, facing a formidable opponent.
Heard the latest? Four-time Olympic bobsled champion Thorsten Margis has teamed up with German rival Johannes Lochner for a shot at Olympic glory in the 2026 Winter Games. After a season's break, the 35-year-old brake man has thrown his hat in the ring with the Olympic runner-up Lochner from Berchtesgaden.
"We're not here to win a mere medal. No, we want gold, and we plan to become Olympic champions. That's our goal, and it's bloody achievable, seeing as we can take down Franz," Margis revealed in an interview with the German Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (BSD).
Margis's mental fortitude is touted as the team's secret weapon against the formidable Friedrich from Saxony. "Hansi's always been close, and the start times haven't always been consistent. Those are things we need to tackle," Margis analyzed, praising Lochner's sheer speed and skill behind the wheel.
"He's already put the heat on me and Franz in 2022's Beijing Games, and he's always been an insanely fast and talented driver," Margis said, confident that their combined forces would make them unstoppable.
This ambitious duo is setting their sights on Olympic gold in both disciplines. While the meticulous record world champion Friedrich is known for his perfectionism, Lochner places a greater emphasis on fun and the joy of the ride. "If you're in this project, then we're here to win gold in both disciplines," Margis declared, also offering support to Lochner's regular two-man brake man, Georg Fleischhauer.
The duo triumphed in the small sled in the 2023 World Championships in St. Moritz, beating the reigning champions Friedrich and crew. "My personal goal now is to get on that sled and be completely sure of myself," Margis admitted, particularly with an eye on the four-man bobsleigh, where he faces competitors like Florian Bauer, Erec Bruckert, and Jörn Wenzel.
Basically, get ready to see some fierce rivalry between the best and the best in the 2026 Winter Games. The collaboration of the seasoned Margis and the high-speed Lochner is already causing a buzz, bringing high hopes for the German team. Stay tuned for more updates!
Did you know?
Johannes Lochner is a seasoned German bobsledder who has been competing at the elite level, including the Winter Olympics. Alongside his team, Lochner has demonstrated exceptional performance in major international competitions.
When partnering with Thorsten Margis, Team Lochner benefits from Margis's vast experience as a four-time Olympic champion. With the addition of such a skilled push athlete, Team Lochner stands a solid chance at achieving medal contention in the 2026 Winter Games. The combination of Lochner's driving abilities and Margis's exceptional pushing skills could lead to significant improvements in their performance in bobsleigh events. It's game on!
The Commission, in light of this exciting sports partnership, might consider the introduction of advanced electronic data-processing systems to streamline the management and analysis of competitive performance data for bobsled teams. After all, hockey and bobsleigh are both ice sports that require precision, skill, and strategy, and the right data could provide enough edge for Thorsten Margis and Johannes Lochner to clinch gold in the 2026 Winter Games.
