Kiberman’s bobsleigh doubles in Sigulda wins the second place. The brightest episodes / Article / LSM.lv

The two-man drove, driven by Latvian bobsled player Oskars Ķibermanis, won the second place in the third stage of the World Cup in Sigulda on Saturday only in the second race, giving way to his fiercest competitor of the previous season, German Francesco Friedrich.

The third place in this competition was taken by the Austrian crew – Simon Friedle’s two. Meanwhile, the two of Oskars Melbāržs settled for the seventh place, but Ralfs Bērziņš finished the third stage of the World Cup in the ninth place.

Former President of the Latvian Olympic Committee Aldons Vrubļevskis was also present in Sigulda, where he received one of the highest awards of the International Olympic Committee – the Pierre de Coubertin Medal. In an interview with LTV, Vrublevsky stated that he remained faithful to the Olympic ideals and the Olympic Charter.

Interview with Aldon Vrublevsky

Speaking about winter sports, Vrubļevskis emphasized that there is no priority in Latvia than renaissance, hockey and biathlon. He expressed pride in Latvia, which is able to organize high-level international sports events.

Oskars Ķibermanis with pusher Matīss Mikni showed an excellent start time in the first race – 4.85 seconds, but the track was completed in 49.45 seconds, which was a new track record. Little Oscar’s two were 0.02 seconds ahead of last year’s fiercest rival, Francesco Friedrich of Germany.

The first trip of the Kibermanis doubles

Ralfs Bērziņš with pusher Edgars Nemmi also showed a decent start time – 4.89 seconds. However, in the race he was 0.39 seconds behind the Kibermanis crew and took the eighth place.

The first trip of Ralph Bērziņš

The last of the 13 athletes was started by the old master and Olympic champion Oskars Melbārdis with pusher Intars Dambis. The start time was 4.97 seconds, which was the eighth best in the first race, but he finished in the split sixth place, 0.28 seconds behind the small Oscar crew.

The return of Oscar Melbārzs

Highlights of the first trip

After the first trip, Ķibermanis LTV admitted that this time he was cautious with forecasts. He discovered that this time bobsleighs had exchanged with Bērziņš.

Interview after the first trip with Oscar Ķibermanis

Bērziņš pointed out that driving with Kiberman’s bob is a bit different, moreover, he has only made a few trips with it before. He rated his trip as moderately good, indicating that corners 13 and 14 needed to be corrected.

Ralph Berzins after the first trip

“What a start, such a place,” said Melbārdis about his performance on the first trip, noting that the physical fitness is still a bit behind, but the main thing is that there is a desire to work.

Interview with Oskars Melbārzs

Before the second trip, Jānis Kols, President of the Latvian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, told LTV that the track record set by Ķibermanis’ crew was not accidental – little Oskars analyzed the mistakes made last weekend and made the right decisions together with national team coach Sandis Prūsi.

Kohl revealed that it was a great pleasure for Oscar Melbārzs to return to the World Cup. “We waited and waited for the gold crew for a long time,” said the president of the federation.

Bērziņš’s two in the second race showed a worse start time (4.93 seconds), but the race time was better – 49.82 seconds, which gave the ninth place in the sum of two races.

The start of the second race was not so good for the Melbārzs crew – 4.99 seconds, and the race was also 0.02 seconds slower. In the sum of the two trips gave time a minute and 39.48 seconds. The Melbārzs twin finished the competition in seventh place.

Good start time for Kibermanis doubles – 4.81 seconds, but travel time 49.43 seconds. In the sum of two races, Ķibermanis conceded to Friedrich’s doubles by 0.10 seconds, settling for the second place.

“You can’t fight on this track without a start,” admitted Melbārdis after the race, who indicated that he had wanted to return to bobsleigh. Now you have to work and train and try to do without injuries.

Satisfied with the second place was Ķibermanis, who admitted that the team has a place to attach – both in the garage and in the weight room.

So far, two stages of the World Cup have been held in Sigulda, and Latvian crews had not yet managed to reach the podium this season.

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