Bob: Schneider wins Olympic dress rehearsal

Bob pilot Stephanie Schneider celebrated her third victory of the season at the World Cup finale at Königssee and underlined her claim to an Olympic medal. Three weeks before the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, the 27-year-old and her pusher Annika Drazek prevailed over Olympic champion Kaillie Humphries, with almost three tenths of a second making the difference in the end.

World champion Elana Meyers Taylor from the USA completed the podium in third place. Mariama Jamanka took fourth place with Lisa Buckwitz, Anna Köhler with Lisette Thöne did not get past twelfth place.

Humphries won the overall World Cup for the fourth time, and Jamanka finished in third place overall behind Meyer’s Taylor as the best German.

It was eagerly anticipated which pilot was allowed to start at the Olympic dress rehearsal with Annika Drazek at the Königssee.

The 22-year-old is now regarded as the world’s best pusher, and a podium finish for German women in Pyeongchang is probably only possible with her.

National coach Rene Spies has now opted for the duo Schneider/Drazek, which he apparently considers to be the strongest combination. Schneider is likely to travel to South Korea with this decision as the German spearhead.