Record champion Friedrich's goals are clearly defined

Record-breaking world champion Francesco Friedrich still has plans for the next big victories. Already at the World Cup final from March 21 to 23 in Lake Placid, one piece of the puzzle is missing from his title collection. Although the overall World Cup victory in the small and large sleds is almost out of his reach, he has never won the four-man bobsleigh on the track at Mount van Hoevenberg. "If we can't do it now at the World Cup final, then at the latest at the World Championships next year. That's another track we're missing. Lillehammer will probably also be in the World Cup next year, so we still have to win in the doubles. We still have a few tasks to complete," said Friedrich on Sunday in Winterberg after his fifth World Cup double.

World Cup final in Lake Placid:

The two crystal globes for the overall victory in the two-man and four-man bobsleigh are more or less already in the bag. Also because long-term rival Johannes Lochner was unable to start after his crash in Altenberg. "Nothing can go wrong now. But you also have to say that it's because of Hansi's crash. Otherwise we wouldn't have had a chance in the two-man bobsleigh."

Two-man or four-man - which discipline is more important to him?

"It's hard to say, we always want to win everything. There are no compromises," said the 33-year-old, adding: "However, it's better in the quad because almost the entire team is involved. And because you have to deliver an incredible team performance throughout the year. That's why the quad is the more important title."

Looking further ahead to the 2026 Olympics:

Two-time double Olympic champion Friedrich has his sights set on the Olympics as his top priority. "We are preparing a thousand percent so that we can deliver our performance at the Winter Games," said the Saxon. His fifth Olympic gold is important to him in order to overtake André Lange with four golds and one silver as pilot and push athlete Kevin Kuske with four golds and two silvers. His target of 100 World Cup victories is also still achievable, even if there are only two winters left with a maximum of 32 races in both disciplines at the end of his career in 2026. Friedrich currently has 77 World Cup victories: 46 in two-man bobsleigh and 31 in four-man bobsleigh.

Career end still open:

Until now, the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina d'Ampezzo were the goal. But for the first time, Friedrich left the end of his career open. "We don't yet know what comes after that. Probably nothing more, but we'll leave it up to that for now," he said.