A significant incident occurred during the 4-man bobsled competition at the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. An Austrian sled, piloted by Jakob Mandlbauer, overturned during the second run of the competition.
Austrian Bobsled Crash Overview
The crash took place on Curve 7, causing the sled to slide extensively before coming to a halt, just short of the finish line. Emergency medical personnel promptly attended to the team after the incident.
Team Composition
- Jakob Mandlbauer – Pilot
- Daniel Bertschler
- Sebastian Mitterer
- Daiyehan Nichols-Bardi
While three members—Bertschler, Mitterer, and Nichols-Bardi—managed to walk away from the scene unassisted, Mandlbauer required further medical attention.
Injuries and Medical Response
Christoph Iglhauser, the press attaché for Team Austria, provided an update: “Jakob is on his way to hospital. He’s not so bad. It’s just a check. Everyone else is fine.”
This reassured the audience that despite the alarming incident, Mandlbauer’s injuries were not significant. Observers were informed that he would be alright following a precautionary evaluation.
Competition Outcome
According to competition regulations, all athletes must complete the run with their sled for it to count. Since the Austrian sled tipped over and did not cross the finish line, the team was recorded as a “Did Not Finish.” Consequently, they were disqualified from the competition, finishing in 21st place after the first run.
The event led to a delay of approximately 20 minutes as officials ensured athlete safety and conducted necessary medical evaluations. The bobsled community and fans await further updates on the athletes’ conditions.
