This season, the bobsledders are starting the winter with and on a new Olympic track. Important World Cup points will be at stake in Cortina d’Ampezzo next weekend. Does the new track bring a breath of fresh air to the sport dominated by German pilots?
“I can already look back on a successful career”says Laura Nolte with a smile on her face when she thinks about the new season. And she can actually be relaxed. She has already won everything she always dreamed of. Overall World Cup winner in the two-man bobsleigh for three years in a row, two-time overall World Cup winner in combination, three-time world champion and 24 World Cup victories – to name just a selection of her successes.
And yet the new season promises excitement on the first weekend. The start is on the new bobsleigh track in Cortina d’Ampezzo. At the beginning of November, the German team was able to visit the track and make its first test runs. Now it’s all about the first World Cup points a few weeks later and in February Olympic medals. Laura Nolte also has a clear eye on her medal collection this season. The big goal is gold at the Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Next weekend she will receive a first indication of whether the route suits her and whether she can continue to dream this dream.
Competition in the German team
Your biggest competition in the two-man bobsleigh comes primarily from your own team. The two German pilots Lisa Buckwitz and Kim Kalicki have proven often enough that they can compete with Laura Nolte. Last season, the three of them made the podium for the overall classification in the two-man bobsleigh. However, it remains to be seen how good the form of the German competition is so early in the season. Because Lisa Buckwitz is looking at one “mixed preparation” back and would like to reach her top form in time for the Olympics in February.
American women also Medal candidates
International competition must not be forgotten either. Above all “The Americans have shown in the past that they can reach the medal ranks” emphasizes Laura Nolte at a press conference of the German Bobsleigh and Sled Association. She must have thought of the names of the US pilots Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor, both of whom have won numerous Olympic medals in the mono and two-man bobsleigh. Lisa Buckwitz also expects a broad and exciting competition in which anything is possible.
Special features of the new railway in Cortina
Bobsleigh national coach René Spies is looking forward to the upcoming Olympic season, in which he primarily wants an injury-free period. With regard to the railway in Cortina, he emphasizes that above all “the upper section of the route is very special” and an exact driving style will have a decisive influence on the final speed. How well the German pilots manage to do this on Saturday and Sunday will provide an initial trend for the Olympic competitions in February.