Patrick Baumgartner's four-man bobsleigh is faster than ever. © Viesturs Lacis

Only Baumgartner can keep up with the Germans.

Patrick Baumgartner remains a force to be reckoned with! Two weeks after his podium finish in Igls, the 30-year-old from Issing (Pfalzen) came close to another sensation.

13 December 2025

From: fop

On the historic Olympic track in Lillehammer, Baumgartner, piloting the four-man bobsleigh with Eric Fantazzini, Robert Mircea, and Lorenzo Bilotti, raced to fourth place. The message is clear: the Italians are a serious contender at the Cortina Olympics!

Baumgartner was the only one of the international competitors who could keep pace with the seemingly invincible German bobsleigh teams in the first run. While the South Tyrolean's second run wasn't flawless, he still managed to hold onto fourth place ahead of the fifth-placed Swiss. In the end, Baumgartner missed out on his third podium finish in the Bobsleigh World Cup by just 18 hundredths of a second.

Johannes Lochner led a German sweep of the podium. © APA/afp / STEFANO RELLANDINI

At the very front, Johannes Lochner, with a furious final run, overtook four-time Olympic champion Francesco Friedrich to secure his second victory of the season. Adam Ammour completed the German sweep of the podium.

More action will be taken on Sunday.

Baumgartner, Lochner and their teammates will compete in another four-man bobsleigh race in Norway on Sunday. Since the larger sleds are not permitted on the track in Sigulda, Latvia, a double race will be held in Lillehammer.