Lochner Takes Command as Austrian Crash Halts Second Heat at Milan‑Cortina Bobsled
Updated (2 articles)
Opening Run Sets Historic Gap Germany’s pilot Johannes Lochner posted the fastest opening run of 53.91 seconds, edging teammate Francesco Friedrich by 0.39 seconds, the largest single‑run margin in Olympic four‑man history since 1952, positioning him to potentially sweep all eight heats and secure a double gold [1].
Other Contenders Remain Within Reach Britain’s Brad Hall placed third, 0.48 seconds behind Lochner, while U.S. pilot Kris Horn, with crew Caleb Furnell, Hunter Powell and Carsten Vissering, tied for eighth and sat just 0.21 seconds off the bronze‑medal time, keeping the competition tight [1].
Flag‑Bearer Del Duca Starts Deep Olympic flag‑bearer Frank Del Duca began the run from 27th position, navigating heavily rutted ice and climbing to 14th place after the first heat, alongside teammates Boone Niederhofer, Bryan Sosoo and Josh Williamson [1].
Jamaica Near Qualification Cut The Jamaican sled, a fan favorite, recorded a 23rd‑place time, placing it at risk since only the top 20 after three heats will advance to the final run on Sunday [1].
Austrian Crash Pauses Competition Austrian pilot Jakob Mandlbauer lost control and crashed during the second heat, halting the event for about 20 minutes; he was stretchered to a hospital for evaluation, with injury severity not immediately known [1].
Timeline
1952 – The 0.39‑second margin set by Johannes Lochner after the first run later becomes the largest single‑run gap in Olympic four‑man bobsleigh since that year, establishing a historic benchmark for the sport [1].
1956 – Frank Del Duca becomes the first U.S. bobsled pilot to carry the Olympic flag since the last bobsled flag bearer appeared at the 1956 Games, ending a 70‑year hiatus [2].
2022 – Speedskater Elana Meyers Taylor misses the Beijing opening ceremony after testing positive for COVID‑19, prompting a replacement flag‑bearer and highlighting the rarity of such absences [2].
Feb 3, 2026 – Erin Jackson and Army sergeant Frank Del Duca are selected by fellow Olympians to lead the United States delegation at the Milan‑Cortina opening ceremony, with Jackson noted as the first Black woman to win an Olympic speed‑skating gold and Del Duca as the first bobsled flag bearer in seven decades [2].
Feb 21, 2026 – Germany’s Johannes Lochner posts the fastest opening run of 53.91 seconds, 0.39 seconds ahead of teammate Francesco Friedrich, putting him on track for a potential sweep of all eight heats and a double Olympic gold [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – The second heat is halted for about 20 minutes after Austrian pilot Jakob Mandlbauer crashes and is stretchered to a hospital, underscoring the event’s safety risks [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – U.S. flag‑bearer Frank Del Duca, who started 27th, climbs to 14th after the first run despite heavily rutted ice, demonstrating a strong early recovery for the American sled [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – Britain’s Brad Hall sits in third place, 0.48 seconds off the lead, while U.S. pilot Kris Horn and his crew tie for eighth, just 0.21 seconds behind the bronze‑medal position, indicating a tightly contested field [1].
Feb 21, 2026 – The Jamaican sled finishes 23rd, placing it in danger of missing the top‑20 cut that determines advancement to the final run, highlighting the high stakes of the qualification round [1].
Feb 23, 2026 – The final run is scheduled for Sunday, with only the top 20 sleds after three heats eligible to compete for medals, setting the stage for the decisive showdown [1].