Serious crashes overshadow opening training for the Bobsleigh World Cup in Altenberg

The opening training session for the Bobsleigh World Cup in Altenberg was overshadowed by two serious crashes. Two-man bobsleigh world champion Johannes Lochner from Berchtesgaden crashed in the four-man bobsleigh in the 13/14 bend passage, as did Swiss pilot Michael Vogt. "We are currently clarifying whether something has happened in Hansi's cervical vertebrae," head coach René Spies told the German Press Agency on Wednesday. There is a slight all-clear for push athlete Erec Bruckert, who was thrown out of the vehicle. He was then taken to hospital for a check-up.

WM co-favorite Lochner will have to miss this weekend's World Cup. "Now we have to see if it's enough for the World Championships in Winterberg," said Spies. The title fights in Hochsauerland start next week.

The Swiss bobsleigh had an even worse time in this difficult passage. Vogt's pusher Sandro Michel was also thrown out of the bobsleigh. After the fall, the 210-kilogram sled slid back down the track from the uphill finish and hit the dazed Swiss athlete lying on the ice with full force. In such a situation, a four-man bobsleigh can reach a speed of around 50 to 60 kilometers per hour.

Michel was apparently seriously injured. The 27-year-old was flown by helicopter to hospital in Dresden. As the Swiss daily newspaper "Blick" first reported, he is out of danger after an operation and is in a stable condition.

The organizer, Wintersport Altenberg (Osterzgebirge) GmbH, would not comment on details and referred to an expected statement from the world federation IBSF.