German Bobsled Star Triumphs on New Olympic Track
German bobsled champion Laura Nolte marked her 27th birthday in spectacular fashion by securing victory in the two-woman bobsled test event at the completely rebuilt Eugenio Monti track in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This crucial test event served as preparation for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics scheduled for February 6-22, 2026.
Nolte, the reigning Olympic and world champion, partnered with Deborah Levi to finish 0.77 seconds ahead of American duo Kaysha Love and Azaria Hill. Another American team driven by Kaillie Humphries Armbruster finished third, just 0.79 seconds behind the German winners.
Double Victory for German Champion
The weekend proved exceptionally successful for Nolte, who achieved her second consecutive victory following her win in the monobob test event the previous day. This dominant performance against strong international competition positions the German athlete as a formidable contender for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
For Humphries Armbruster, the Olympic champion from 2010 and 2014, this marked a significant return to form. This podium finish represents her first in two-woman World Cup bobsled in nearly three years, following a season break and the birth of her son earlier in 2024.
"I'm happy with my performance, it's a step in the right direction," Humphries Armbruster commented. "The first run I was really happy with my drive and second run I was happy with our push, so piece by piece it's coming together."
Historic Podium for South Korea in Four-Man Event
In the four-man bobsled competition, Johannes Lochner continued Germany's winning streak by defeating Francesco Friedrich for the second consecutive day. Lochner's team comprising Jörn Wenzel, Georg Fleischhauer and Thorsten Margis finished 0.22 seconds ahead of Friedrich's sled containing Matthias Sommer, Alexander Schüller and Felix Straub.
The competition witnessed a historic moment as South Korea's team achieved their country's first-ever four-man podium finish in World Cup history. The quartet of Kim Jinsu, Kim Sunwook, Kim Hyeonggeun and Lee Geonu secured third place, finishing 0.61 seconds behind Lochner, and celebrated their breakthrough achievement with immense enthusiasm.
This inaugural weekend of racing on the completely reconstructed Olympic track provided valuable insights for athletes and organizers alike as preparations intensify for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
