A week before the home World Cup
Bob hope Michael Vogt races to EM silver
That makes you want to go to the Bobsleigh World Championships in St. Moritz over the next two weekends: Michael Vogt only loses the hundredth battle for the European Championship title by a hair’s breadth.
Published: 36 minutes ago
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Updated: 26 minutes ago
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Michael Vogt with brakeman Sandro Michel get on the track in Altenberg.
Matthew Dubachreporter sports
The former bobsleigh nation Switzerland is on the way back to its former glory.
This is mainly due to Michael Vogt (25). The man from Schwyz is fighting for the European title in the two-man bobsleigh in Altenberg (De). After the half-time lead, he loses the hundredth battle in the ice channel by a fraction of 0.05 seconds: EM silver behind the German Johannes Lochner (32).
It is the first Swiss EM medal since 2020, when Simon Friedli also finished second in the absence of most of the top pilots. This time in Altenberg all the stars are there when Vogt can dream of the first Swiss European Championship title since Beat Hefti 2016.
Vogt a hot candidate for the podium in St. Moritz
Vogt’s European Championship silver is not a sensation, even if he defeats the (ailing) German serial winner Francesco Friedrich (32, takes bronze) on his home track. The Schwyzer said last week: “The medals are the goal.” Because he had established himself at the top of the world this season with constant performances, especially in the small sled. In four starts, he raced onto the podium three times in the World Cup.
Now the bobsled convoy travels straight on to St. Moritz for the World Championships. Vogt comes to the highlight of the season as a near-European champion. And now, of course, he’s also a hot contender for a medal in the Engadin.
With Timo Rohner (25) in 6th place, a second Swiss made for a strong result. Cédric Follador (28) finishes in 12th place.
In the women’s race, Vogt’s girlfriend Melanie Hasler (24) finished 8th in the monobob, just ahead of Martina Fontanive (36) from Zurich, which means 4th and 5th place in the European Championship rankings.