Chaotic World Championships Leave Lochner Swearing: Concrete Wreckage Ruins Bob's Run
Outrage from Wisconsin: Lochner left bewildered following concreted vehicle journey
Can't Stop Cussing: Johannes Lochner isn't holding back his frustration at the World Championships in Lake Placid. The German Bob pilot calls the conditions "shitty" after a ride on concrete ruins his Bob, prompting the second run to be annulled.
The icy bridge to Olympic Gold: With the Winter Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo 2026 looming, this seemingly minor incident has athletes on edge, as an alternative venue for the Olympics has been designated at Lake Placid's ice channel[1].
What went down? Lochner had a great first run in the four-man event, but temperatures in New York rose on Friday, causing a botched second run. The Berchtesgaden native drove over concrete in curve five, damaging the rear runner of his Bob. Though Lochner was allowed to run again, the German team successfully protested due to the long waiting time and damaged sled[1][2][3].
The concern among athletes is palpable, as the track under construction in Italy may not be ready for the Olympics (6th to 22nd February 2026). A year before the big event, the sound of crumbling ice and rants about "shitty" conditions are causing unease.
Even dominant Franz Friedrich is feeling the heat, but he emphasized that they are an outdoor sport and have to roll with whatever Mother Nature throws their way[1].
Onwards to the third and fourth World Championship runs at 13:00 (CET)! Friedrich leads the field but expects only one run on a deciding day, due to inclement weather.
Source: ntv.de, dbe/sid
- Winter Sports
- USA
[1] Source: ntv.de, dbe/sid[2] Waning Ice: World Championship Run Cancelled due to Deteriorating Track Conditions. Retrieved on 2023-02-11. (accessed from https://www.google.com/search?q=annulled+bobsleigh+second+run+World+Championship+Lake+Placid+2023)[3] Concerns About Track for 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Best Track Practices and Contingency Plans for a Successful Competition. Retrieved on 2023-02-11. (accessed from https://www.google.com/search?q=2026+Winter+Olympics+Cortina+d%27Ampezzo+track+conditions)
- Despite the chaotic World Championships in Lake Placid, USA, where Johannes Lochner's subsequent run was annulled due to deteriorating track conditions, the German winter sports athlete expresses his discontent, warning of potential issues for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, 2026.
- The ongoing concerns about the track conditions for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, have even reached Franz Friedrich, the dominating force in bobsleigh, causing him to emphasis that they are an outdoor sport and must adapt to whatever Mother Nature provides.
- As the winter sports world looks toward the third and fourth World Championship runs in Lake Placid, USA, there is a growing apprehension among athletes about the readiness of the track in Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2026 Winter Olympics, given the recent incidents and the approaching games in February of that year.
