LA PLAGNE, France, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champion Francesco Friedrich of Germany and his brakeman Alexander Schueller dominated in 2-man bobsleigh at the 2019/2020 IBSF World Cup here on Saturday.
The Friedrich/Schueller tandem completed their first run in 59 seconds. Second place went to Latvia's Oskars Kibermanis and Matiss Miknis, 0.26 seconds behind the winner. Switzerland's Michael Vogt and Sandro Michel made it to the podium 0.34 back.
After the third of eight races this season, Friedrich now has a coamnding 60-point lead over Kibermanis in the overall standings.
In the 2-woman competition, German Laura Nolte went all out and broke the track record. During heat one, the 21-year-old pilot and her brake athlete Deborah Levi set a new benchmark for La Plagne at one minute and 0.67 seconds.
The second place went to Canadians Christine de Bruin and Kristen Bujnowski, 0.21 seconds slower than the winner. Schneider/Fiebig of Germany were just 0.01 seconds behind the Canadian pairing and finished third.
Kaillie Humphries of the United States continues to lead the overall standings in the 2019/2020 IBSF World Cup. The Olympic champion finished fourth in La Plagne. Second place at the mid-way point of the World Cup season is held by Schneider. Mariama Jamanka finished fifth in La Plagne and is third overall. Enditem
