Baumgartner (front) and his crew are pushing hard. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

Baumgartner's crew: hammer thrower and 100-meter runner

Patrick Baumgartner, the bobsled pilot from Pfalzen, will be competing for a medal at the Olympic Games on Saturday and Sunday. But who is sitting with him in the bobsled?

February 21, 2026

From Cortina d'Ampezzo

Watching a bobsleigh race, one thing becomes immediately clear: it's a symphony of muscle. From head to toe – every athlete is a sculpted physique. This is certainly true of Patrick Baumgartner and his teammates in the four-man bobsleigh: Eric Fantazzini, Robert Mircea, and Lorenzo Bilotti.

But why is that? Bobsled pilot Baumgartner laughs at this question. "Actually, it's quite simple physics: the more weight, the faster the bobsled. However, it's not just about the weight itself: bobsledding is an explosive sport. The start is crucial, so all four members of the team have to be athletic, agile, and strong. A bobsledder should weigh around 100 kilograms."

colleagues from other sports

Pfalzner himself is the pilot, the figure who navigates the sled through the winding ice track. His three teammates behind him are responsible for pushing and braking. This is one reason why they often come from other sports.

Bobsleigh pilot Patrick Baumgartner. © FELICE CALABRO' / Felice Calabro'

Eric Fantazzini, who sits directly behind Baumgartner, was formerly a gifted hammer thrower. "At the same time, he's also a fast runner. Strength and speed – that's a perfect combination for bobsledding," says Baumgartner.

Weightlifters and sprinters

Position 3 is held by Robert Mircea, who also came to bobsledding via a circuitous route. He was formerly a rugby player and Italian weightlifting champion. He also competes in the two-man bobsled with Baumgartner.

Patrick Baumgartner's four-man bobsleigh. © FELICE CALABRO' / Felice Calabro'

Lorenzo Bilotti is in last place. "He comes from the 100-meter dash; his personal best is 10.30 seconds, which is very strong. Because he's our fastest runner, he's taking the last position. Lorenzo has been with my team since 2016 and is a true racing machine: he always manages to push himself even harder in competition."

The big medal opportunity comes on Sunday afternoon.

For Baumgartner and his teammates, things get serious today: The first two runs take place at 10:00 and 11:57, before the grand finale on Sunday. The third run starts at 10:00, and the final Olympic medals in Cortina d'Ampezzo will be awarded from 12:15 onwards. Baumgartner and his team are fighting for one of them.