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After two of four runs in the 2018 Olympic men's four-man bobsled event, the German team piloted by Francesco Friedrich is leading the field.
Friedrich's quartet posted a total time of 1:37.55 at the Olympic Sliding Centre in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on Friday (Saturday in South Korea), which gives it a 29-second lead over the South Korean team led by Yun-jong Won.
Here is a look at the current top 10 with full results available at NBCOlympics.com:
1. Germany (Francesco Friedrich): 1:37.55
2. South Korea (Yun-jong Won): +0.29
3. Germany (Nico Walther): +0.35
4. Canada (Justin Kripps): +0.58
T5. Germany (Johannes Lochner): +0.66
T5. Latvia (Oskars Melbardis): +0.66
T5. Switzerland (Rico Peter): +0.66
8. Austria (Benjamin Maier): +0.76
9. United States (Codie Bascue): +0.88
10. Latvia (Oskars Kibermanis): +0.89
The final two runs will be completed and medals will be decided on Saturday (Sunday in South Korea).
Here is a rundown of the current Olympic medal count:
Germany has a long history of dominance in the bobsled at the Olympics, and it has a legitimate chance to sweep the podium for the first time ever in the four-man with three teams in the top five.
Friedrich has given his unit a comfortable lead over host South Korea, and he was aided by a historic first run, according to Ken Childs of SlidingOnIce.com:
The 27-year-old Friedrich has a chance to leave Pyeongchang with two gold medals in tow, as he and Thorsten Margis tied with Justin Kripps and Alexander Kopacz of Canada for gold in the two-man event.
Kripps' team is fourth in the four-man through two runs and is 0.23 seconds off the podium behind the German team piloted by Nico Walther.
Canada has not medaled in the four-man since the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, while South Korea has never won an Olympic medal in either the two- or four-man event.
Team USA has medaled in each of the past two Olympics and three of the past four in the four-man, but that run of success is in danger of coming to an end.
The top American team piloted by Codie Bascue is ninth after two runs. NBC Olympics tweeted the following video of his second run:
Meanwhile, the American teams led by Nick Cunningham and Justin Olsen are 20th and 21st, respectively.
Among other notable teams, Latvia's Oskars Melbardis is in search of his third career Olympic medal after winning bronze in the two-man this year and silver in the four-man in 2014.
His Latvian squad is tied for fifth with Johannes Lochner and Co. of Germany and Switzerland's team piloted by Rico Peter.
If at least one German team finishes on the podium, it will mark the 12th time in the past 13 Olympics that Germany has won at least one medal in the event.
Nadezhda Sergeeva has become the second Russian athlete to fail a drugs test at the 2018 Winter Olympics, with the bobsled pilot testing positive for a banned heart medication.
Per the Associated Press (h/t Patrick Reevell of ABC News) on Friday, Sergeeva has denied taking the substance. She finished 15th in the women's bobsleigh event alongside Anastasia Kocherzhova.
In early February, Sergeeva made headlines for wearing a shirt saying "I Don't Do Doping" in a promotional video, as ABC's Muhammad Lila shows:
Scandal continues to surround Russian participants after curler Alexander Krushelnitckii failed a drugs test, forcing him and his partner and wife, Anastasia Bryzgalova, to hand back the bronze medal they achieved in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Russian Bobsled Federation president Alexander Zubkov told the Associated Press the bobsled pilot had passed a drugs test five days before, and team doctors confirmed they hadn't prescribed the substance to Sergeeva.
"Federation representatives at the Olympics are starting to prepare a defense," said Zubkov.
Per Reevell, a Russian Bobsled Federation statement read, "The Federation and the athlete herself understand the measure of our responsibility and how what has happened can affect the fates of all the teams."
The latest setback further damages Russia's attempts to win favour with the International Olympic Committee after being denied entry to Pyeongchang 2018 due to state-sponsored doping in the lead-up to and during the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.
Germany's Mariama Jamanka and Lisa Buckwitz took gold in the women's bobsled at the 2018 Winter Olympics on Wednesday in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
They set a time of 3 minutes, 22.45 seconds to take top spot ahead of the USA and Canada.
Here are the times from the Olympic Sliding Centre:
Germany (Mariama Jamanka, Lisa Buckwitz) — 3:22.45
USA (Elana Meyers Taylor, Lauren Gibbs) — 3:22.52
Canada (Kaillie Humphries, Phylicia George) — 3:22.89
Here is the medal table:
Jamanka and Buckwitz set a track record on the third run with a time of 50.49 seconds, but that was immediately bettered by Meyers Taylor and Gibbs' 50.46.
Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press was excited:
Jamanka. Track record to start the night off.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 21, 2018
Meyers Taylor answers. Track record. German lead down to 0.04.
Giddy up.
Meanwhile, Canada's Humphries and George moved up to third with a run of 50.52.
The most heated action of the fourth and final run took place at the end, but Great Britain's Mica McNeill and Mica Moore enjoyed a Games to remember, per BBC Sport's Nick Hope:
In the battle for medals, Canada's run of 50.77 was 0.07 seconds slower than German pair Stephanie Schneider and Annika Drazek, but it was nevertheless enough to secure a medal ahead of them.
The Canadians had ended the third run 0.37 behind the leaders, though, so it was down to Germany and the USA to contest gold and silver.
A strong run from the Americans put the pressure on Jamanka and Buckwitz, but the German duo produced the joint-best run of the fourth session to secure gold, per BBC Sport:
To make Jamanka's win even more impressive, she claimed gold despite having never won a World Cup race.
Germany's Mariama Jamanka and Lisa Buckwitz lead the way in the women's Winter Olympics bobsled at the halfway point of the competition.
The duo trailed the United States' Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs after the first heat on Tuesday, with the American duo setting a new track record.
However, the Germans had the advantage the second time around, as a cleaner run allowed them to edge past their rivals and into the provisional gold-medal position. Stephanie Schneider and Annika Drazek moved up into third in Heat 2, making it a brilliant day for the German team.
Here are the results from the first two runs at the Olympic Sliding Centre and a recap of how the action panned out on Tuesday in Pyeongchang:
1. Mariama Jamanka and Lisa Buckwitz (GER) - 1:41.26
2. Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs (USA) - 1:41.33
3. Stephanie Schneider and Annika Drazek (GER) - 1:41.56
For the results in full, visit the Pyeongchang website.
Germany Take Control at Midpoint
Going off in fifth in Heat 1, Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs had a chance to set the tone.
The duo delivered. They set a start record with a time of 5.25 seconds off the line before careering down the circuit at a blistering pace. After such a strong beginning, they were able to lay down a new track record of 51.71.
What was ominous for the rest of the field, as journalist Ken Childs noted, was there was still room for the United States to go quicker:
The other major contenders for gold followed the American duo in the subsequent runs, with Germany's Mariama Jamanka and Lisa Buckwitz going next.
The pair were just 0.02 seconds behind the leaders, while the second United States team of Jamie Greubel Poser and Aja Evans were only 0.07 seconds off the top spot. Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press said the United States had reason to be pleased after their start:
With Germany's second pair in fourth and just 0.11 behind Meyers Taylor, things were tight at the top following the first run. Heat 2 followed straight after, and the competition caught fire when we reached the top four in the field.
There was immediately a change in the top three, as Germany's Stephanie Schneider and Annika Drazek were able to usurp the American pair in third after a brilliant second run.
However, they wouldn't stay on top, as their compatriots produced a strong second run, opening up a significant gap of 0.3 seconds. Jamanka steered the sled expertly and gave the leaders, going off last, a lot to think about.
Initially, Meyers Taylor and Gibbs looked like they were about to blow the competition away, as they were comfortably under their rivals' split at the start. As noted, they were able to lower their own start record:
Yet as they stormed down the circuit, the American duo were losing time. Eventually they came home 0.07 seconds slower Jamanka and Buckwitz's cumulative effort.
It means there's a huge battle for gold on the cards on Wednesday, as well as one for bronze. A strong performance from Canada's Kaillie Humphries and Phylicia George leaves them in fifth but just 0.04 seconds off a medal spot.
Canada and Germany both took gold after a dramatic dead heat in the two-man bobsled at the 2018 Winter Olympics, piloted by Justin Kripps and Francesco Friedrich, respectively.
They each set an overall time of three minutes, 16.86 seconds, ahead of Latvia's Oskars Melbardis, who took bronze.
Here are their times:
Canada (Justin Kripps, Alexander Kopacz)—3:16.86
Germany (Francesco Friedrich, Thorsten Margis)—3:16.86
Latvia (Oskars Melbardis, Janis Strenga)—3:16.91
Here is the live medal table:
Four-time world champions Friedrich and Margis set the best time in the third run with a track-record 48.96, but Canada's 49.09 was enough to keep them atop the standings ahead of the final run.
It was only a narrow lead, though, with just 0.13 seconds separating them and the fifth-placed German side, Nico Walther and Christian Poser.
Sports reporter Josh Clipperton anticipated a close fourth run:
Johannes Lochner and Chris Weber had their eyes on a medal and went into the final run firmly in contention, but hitting the side at the "dragon's tail" chicane proved costly and guaranteed Latvia a medal after they produced a 49.21 run, the best of the fourth session.
It would only get them bronze, though, as they were narrowly surpassed by Friedrich and Margis to pile the pressure on leaders Canada.
The Canadians were behind the Germans through the first two splits but made up the time by the finish line to remarkably tie the race.
For Canada, history had repeated itself, per sports broadcaster Andi Petrillo:
The result sparked celebrations between the two teams, per BBC Sport's Nick Hope:
Friedrich and Kripps will be in action once again on Wednesday in the four-man bobsled heats.
Red Stripe Beer offered to purchase a new bobsled for the Jamaican women's bobsled team after its coach, Sandra Kiriasis, quit.
According to BBC Sport's Anna Thompson, Kiriasis "threatened to take the team's sled," which she claims she owns. Thompson added that Kiriasis "wants payment for it but the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation declined and is disputing she owns the sled."
Red Stripe, which is brewed in Jamaica, made the offer Thursday morning. ESPN.com's Darren Rovell confirmed it is legitimate.
"When Red Stripe caught wind of the news, we immediately huddled as a team and made the decision to show our support," Red Stripe senior marketing manager Andrew Anguin said in a statement provided to B/R. "We then reached out after receiving the information for the correct person at the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation and began a dialogue on how we can help in any way possible."
Kiriasis told reporters she left the Jamaican team because the country's bobsled federation wanted her to move from driving coach to performance track analyst.
"Sandra Kiriasis has elected not to continue her position," the federation said in a statement. "We are deeply disappointed in her decision to leave the program."
The Jamaican women's team, which is making its Olympic debut in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will participate in training heats Saturday, Sunday and Monday before competition ramps up Tuesday and Wednesday.
Jamaica's Olympic debut in women's bobsled is in question following the resignation of coach Sandra Kiriasis on Wednesday.
According to BBC Sport, Kiriasis owns Jamaica's sled, meaning the Jamaican women may not have the equipment needed to compete.
Kiriasis was asked to switch from driving coach to track performance analyst, which she declined before quitting.
Per BBC Sport, Kiriasis said the following regarding the situation: "I have never known such disappointment in this sport, in my life. The athletes have told me they don't understand why this has happened as they have no problem with me and we have a good relationship."
In a statement, Jamaica Bobsled said: "Sandra Kiriasis has elected not to continue her position. We are deeply disappointed in her decision to leave the program. We thank her for her invaluable contribution and contributing to the success of Jamaica's first female bobsled Olympic appearance."
The 43-year-old Kiriasis is a native of Germany, and she is among the most decorated bobsledders of all time.
She won silver at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and gold at the 2006 Turin Olympics in the two-woman bobsled.
Kiriasis also won 13 medals at the World Championships during her career, including seven golds.
The Jamaican women's bobsled team of Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and Carrie Russell are scheduled to compete Tuesday and Wednesday in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The Russian quartet piloted by Alexander Zubkov won the men’s four-man bobsled and extended the hosts’ lead atop the medals table in the penultimate event of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
A foursome of Zubkov, Alexey Negodaylo, Dmitry Trunenkov and Alexey Voevoda finished ahead of the teams from Latvia and the United States, who finished in second and third place, respectively.
The Russians put together two excellent runs in the third and fourth heats on the final day of these Olympic games to cap off what has been a fine Winter Olympics for the host nation.
| Position | Team | Heat 3 Time | Heat 4 Time | Overall Time |
| 1. | Russia 1 | 55.02 | 55.39 | 3:40.60 |
| 2. | Latvia 1 | 55.15 | 55.31 | 3:40.69 |
| 3. | United States 1 | 55.30 | 55.33 | 3:40.99 |
| 4. | Russia 2 | 55.29 | 55.21 | 3:41.02 |
| 5. | Great Britain 1 | 55.31 | 55.26 | 3:41.10 |
| 6. | Germany 1 | 55.47 | 55.60 | 3:41.42 |
| 7. | Germany 3 | 55.50 | 55.53 | 3:41.51 |
| 8. | Switzerland 1 | 55.60 | 55.60 | 3:41.75 |
| 9. | Canada 2 | 55.60 | 55.38 | 3:41.76 |
| 10. | Germany 2 | 55.81 | 55.41 | 3:41.80 |
Prior to the final heats, USA pilot Steven Holcomb paid tribute to the quality of the teams on show at these Games, per the Associated Press (via CBS News), saying, "There's a lot of good teams out here. I knew it was going to be a battle like this."
After the first two heats of the bobsled were completed Saturday, the 30 crews went head-to-head over the course of three enthralling hours Sunday to determine who would be on the podium.
Heat No. 3 saw the teams go out in descending order, with the leading Russian team given an excellent opportunity to set a strong precedent for the day. Led by Zubkov, they did exactly that with a brilliant run of 55.02 seconds—the fastest run of the third heat.
They were closely followed by the teams from Latvia (55.15) and the United States (55.30), and those two teams were placed just 0.13 and 0.28 seconds off the lead, respectively.
The squad that would have been most disappointed with its performance in the penultimate session was the German team, who posted a time of 55.47 and relinquished its grip on third place. They fell back into fifth and were sandwiched between Russia 2 in fourth and the Great Britain team in sixth position.
At the end of heat No. 3, the slowest 10 teams dropped out. And it was wonderful to see the Canadian third squad cross the line after it crashed in its second run on Saturday. Australia also fell out of contention, but it was determined it would be back better and stronger next time around:
Ahead of the final run, there was concern that with the final heat taking place later on in the day, the track could start to deteriorate as the day progressed. And while Russia obviously took advantage of going off first in the third heat, would it pay the price in the fourth when setting off last?
Team GB was certainly hoping the degrading ice would play into its hands as it started the last session in sixth place, still within touching distance of a bronze medal:
Medals of every color were still up for grabs in the final session with the excitement set to unfold when we got into the top 10. And as Germany 2 rattled down in a swift time of 55.41, it was apparent that the ice was still in pretty good shape. Even more so when Canada 2 bettered that pace with a time of 55.38.
Team GB put together a superb run (55.26) to give itself a great chance of a medal, and it would have been hopeful of bronze after the German team failed to better its overall time:
But Russia’s second squad recovered from a poor start to go 0.08 seconds ahead of team GB with three squads left to run. Much to the hosts' second squad's dismay, however, Holcomb’s United States team pipped them to guarantee themselves at least a bronze medal:
Latvia was the penultimate team to run, and it heaped the pressure on Zubkov’s Russia squad by going 0.30 seconds clear of the United States.
But Zubkov is a class act, and while it was tight, his Russian team finished 0.09 seconds ahead of the Latvians. At 39 years of age, he becomes the oldest man to ever win an Olympic bobsled gold medal.
Looking a little further down the line, this can only be a good thing for the sport. The German monopoly seems to be over—this was the first time the Germans haven't picked up a medal in the four-man since 1964—and that is to the credit of the developments and progressions made by other nations.
For the winners Russia, it remains to be seen how they'll look to develop with both Zubkov and Voevoda in the twilight of their careers. But with two squads in the top four here and two in the top four in the two-man format, they are clearly making purposeful strides, and the depth is there for them to exploit and flourish.
Expect the Russians to feature heavily once again at the next Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018.
The United States' Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams took second place in the women's two-person bobsled competition at the Sochi Olympics on Wednesday, making Williams the fifth athlete in Olympics history to earn a medal at both the Summer and Winter Games.
The 30-year-old Williams—a sprinter who first picked up bobsledding this past summer—now has a silver medal from the Winter Games to complement her two medals from the Summer Olympics. Williams took silver in the 100 meters at the 2004 Athens Olympics before earning a gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay at the 2012 London Games.
While she's surely happy to have her name in the Olympic record books, Williams missed out on a bigger achievement Wednesday, as she fell just short in her bid to become the second person with a gold medal from both the Winter and Summer games.
Following their second run on Tuesday, Williams (the brakeman) and teammate Elana Meyers (the pilot) held a lead of 0.23 seconds over Canada's Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse. The Canadians cut the lead to 0.11 seconds with a strong third run (57.57 seconds) on Wednesday, then took advantage of a lackluster fourth and final run (58.13 seconds) by the Americans to move into first place.
Ultimately, Humphries and Moyse finished their four heats in a total of 3 minutes, 50.61 seconds, while Williams and Meyers fell 0.10 seconds short at 3 minutes, 50.71 seconds.
American boxer/bobsledder Eddie Eagan—the first person to medal in both the Summer (1920) and Winter (1932) Olympics—remains the only person to earn a gold medal at both the Summer and Winter Games. Joining Eagan and Williams as dual medalists are Norwegian sailer/skier Jacob Tullin, German cyclist/speedskater Christa Luding and Canadian cyclist/speedskater Clara Hughes.
