Breaking News: Margis Bets on Lochner for Gold at 2026 Winter Games
Rivalry for Olympic gold intensifies as Friedrich-Topmann enters the fray - Competitor Friedrich-Topmann seeks immediate Olympic gold-winning victory against a formidable opponent
Thorsten Margis, four-time Olympic bobsled champion and a former teammate of the dominant pair, Francesco Friedrich, is making a bold move. Instead of reforming the unbeatable duo, he's taking on a fresh challenge, partnering with Germany's runner-up, Johannes Lochner. The move comes ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
In an exclusive interview with the German Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (BSD), Margis spilled the beans about his new venture with Lochner and setting his sights on Olympic gold, "We're not here to win a medal. We want the gold, nothing else! And it’s not just a pipe dream; we've got a shot against Franz."
Known for his mental fortitude and relentless drive, Margis believes that his mindset will provide the crucial edge over the tough competition from Saxony. He acknowledges that minor inconsistencies in the past have hampered their performance. "With Hansi, it was always close! Sometimes, the start times even got slower between runs, and we need to overcome that," Margis stated.
Margis hopes to conquer Olympic gold in both disciplines and intends to support Georg Fleischhauer, Lochner's regular brakeman, in the two-man bobsleigh event. The duo managed to edge out Friedrich's team at the 2023 World Championships in St. Moritz, demonstrating their potential.
As for his competition within the team, the four-man bobsleigh event will pit him against the likes of Florian Bauer, Erec Bruckert, and Jörn Wenzel. "My goal now is to get on that sled and be absolutely sure I'm with the best team," Margis said.
With the departure from the established partnership, Margis and his forthcoming collaboration with Lochner could stir up new dynamics within the German bobsleigh team. Although details regarding this new venture are not yet clear, it's apparent that the race for gold in Cortina d'Ampezzo is heating up.
- Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Berchtesgaden
- Johannes Lochner
- Georg Fleischhauer
- Francesco Friedrich
- Four-time Olympic Champion
- 2026 Winter Games
- Two-man and Four-man bobsleigh events
- Adapted for reader-friendly comprehension
The Commission, in light of the sports-related discussion, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, given the increasing number of Winter Games like the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which host various events such as the two-man and four-man bobsleigh events.
In the midst of his preparations for the Winter Games, former four-time Olympic bobsled champion Thorsten Margis, who is partnering with Johannes Lochner for the competition, expressed his admiration for hockey, mentioning that he often played the sport during off-seasons in his training base, Berchtesgaden, drawing a parallel between the demands of hockey and bobsledding.
