Two-man bobsleigh Olympic champion Laura Nolte dramatically missed out on a top place at the premiere of the monobob world cup in Whistler after falling in the second run.
Nolte was in the lead after the first run and was the last starter in the second run, but lost control in a corner and ended up seventh.
Canada’s Bianca Ribi secured the maiden victory in 1:50.89 minutes ahead of her teammate Cynthia Appiah. US favorite Kaillie Humphries benefited from Nolte’s accident and slipped to bronze.
The best German was Kim Kalicki (Wiesbaden) in fifth place, Lisa Buckwitz (Oberhof) also fell and took ninth and last place.
“It was clear that it would be difficult on the track, but unfortunately we suffered two falls,” summarized national coach Rene Spies. In general, he was “satisfied with the performance of the girls”. After her fall, Nolte had problems with her shoulder and ribs. “I hope that the girls will be fine again on Saturday and that Laura will be able to compete in twos,” said Spies.
Next Monobob World Cup in Park City
There had already been a monobob competition at the 2021 World Championships and even at the 2022 Olympics, but World Cups were not held for a long time. Instead, the single sleds have been on the road in a separate so-called world series in recent winters.
Unlike in the two-man race, Nolte and Co. have never set the pace in the monobob. The World Championship title in Altenberg, as well as Olympic gold in Beijing, went to the experienced and highly decorated Humphries.
The other two medal winners from the Winter Games are no longer there: Elana Meyers Taylor (USA) won silver and is now expecting her second child. Bronze went to the Canadian Christine de Bruin, who is now serving a doping ban.
The next Monobob World Cup will be held in Park City (USA) next Friday (9:30 a.m. CEST).