CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Johannes Lochner of Germany captured his second bobsled gold medal at the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games on Sunday, taking the Four-Man competition in what he announced would be his final competitive race.
The German athlete’s victory marked another dominant performance for Germany’s sliding sports program during these Olympics. Fellow German Francesco Friedrich, the two-time defending champion in this event, finished second to claim silver.
Germany nearly achieved an unprecedented sweep of all three medal positions, but Switzerland’s Michael Vogt managed to edge out German pilot Adam Ammour for the bronze medal on the final run by just four hundredths of a second.
Throughout his career, Lochner has often been overshadowed by Friedrich’s success, earning two Olympic silver medals while competing against his compatriot. However, this season has belonged to Lochner, who maintained his excellent form to achieve this double gold performance.
Lochner’s Four-Man team included Thorsten Margis, who earned his fifth Olympic gold medal, along with Jorn Wenzel and Georg Fleischhauer. Fleischhauer had also served as Lochner’s brakeman during their Two-Man victory earlier in the Games.
“It’s unbelievable that my plan worked out so perfectly with my last run,” Lochner said. “I still can’t believe it, and it will take forever for it to sink in.”
“It’s simply a dream that’s been playing out in my head for two years. That it’s now true – indescribable. This is a moment for eternity,” the German athlete continued. “This is the most perfect ending ever.”
Entering the final day of competition, Lochner held a 0.43-second advantage over Friedrich. Racing first in the rotation, he extended that margin during his third run down the track.
With his competitors unable to mount any serious challenge or make significant mistakes that might have created opportunities, Lochner navigated his final trip down the Cortina course without incident, ultimately winning by a commanding 0.57 seconds.
The victory represented a historic fifth Olympic gold for Margis, making him the most decorated bobsledder in Olympic history after his decision to switch from Friedrich’s crew to join Lochner’s team.
“It’s a little bit difficult to put that in words,” Margis explained. “One and a half years ago, Hansi (Lochner) asked me to come in his sled and we made a plan. It’s quite cool if such a plan works out, and it’s pretty amazing to beat the most successful bobsleigh pilot in the world for our time (Friedrich).”
“I am a little bit overwhelmed with my feelings,” he added.
Friedrich’s silver medal performance was sufficient to secure second place comfortably. His collection of four golds and two silvers from Olympic competition now surpasses Andre Lange’s record, establishing him as the most successful pilot in Olympic bobsled history.
Ammour, the third German pilot, had climbed to third place on Saturday after a disappointing fifth-place finish in his opening run. However, he entered the final run with only a slim lead over his closest pursuers. Early errors during that crucial final descent cost him the medal, allowing Vogt to secure Switzerland’s first medal in this event since they also earned bronze in 2006.
