Bobsleigh at 2026 Winter Olympics –Friedrich vs Lochner Betting Prediction

Match info

The 4-man bobsleigh has been part of the Winter Olympics since the very first Games in 1924 and represents one of the purest tests of speed, aerodynamics, strength, and teamwork in any Olympic sliding sport. Medals here often reflect not just explosive start pushes but clockwork precision down the track.

A strong run in Heat 4 is essential — it is the key leg in the combined total that decides overall placements before the final runs later that day. This event frequently defines a nation’s standing in the ice-track medal table for the entire Games, and the favorites are typically among the most decorated and technically refined teams in the sport.

If you are planning your Olympic weekend reading or looking for insight before placing a bet, start with https://bookmaker-expert.com/bookmakers/sports-betting/olympic/ — a useful resource for understanding formats, betting markets, and what truly matters before the sleds even leave the start line.

When:
Sunday, February 22, 2026 — 12:15 local time (Central European Time / CET).

Where:
Cortina Sliding Centre “Eugenio Monti”, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. This historic yet modernized track will host bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge throughout the Games. Its technical curves and fast straightaways place a premium on experience, clean steering, and flawless execution across all four heats.

Meeting statistics

Current form and playstyle: Francesco Friedrich
Among the crews set to shine in Heat 4, Francesco Friedrich stands as the leading name on most radars — not just for this heat but across the entire four-man competition, where Germany holds the most realistic chances for gold. Friedrich has dominated the discipline for years, collecting multiple Olympic golds and World Championship titles. His synergy between power and steering precision makes his sled exceptionally difficult to beat when the ice is fast and unforgiving. His starts are consistently among the quickest, and his lines through the challenging rhythms of the Cortina track give him a small but crucial edge in combined time.

Current form and playstyle: Johannes Lochner
Close on his heels, particularly in recent World Cup form, is Johannes Lochner, who clinched the overall 2025–26 World Cup season in four-man — a testament to his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure. Lochner’s approach combines raw push strength with aggressive driving through Cortina’s technical sections. On tricky ice, he often finds extra tenths of a second where others lose time, keeping him firmly in medal contention.

Note: Dark horse to watch
Team Great Britain, led by pilot Brad Hall, is a sleeper crew. While not always at the top of World Cup rankings, they have shown steady improvement and the capacity to compete with the world’s best when tracks demand precise crew timing, efficient starts, and clean runs. On unpredictable ice or in difficult weather, disciplined execution can catapult them into podium contention, even without the flashiest starts.

Head-to-head
Friedrich and Lochner are long-standing rivals across the Olympics and every major IBSF circuit. Friedrich’s Olympic pedigree and veteran calm contrast with Lochner’s more recent streak of World Cup consistency. Friedrich relies on near-flawless synergy, while Lochner pushes harder in the launch phase, banking on superior entry speed to offset minor steering variances. Margins between the two are often fractions of a second — in bobsleigh, the difference between gold and fourth place. Hall’s British crew doesn’t share as long a rivalry with the Germans, but steady World Cup improvement makes them a credible foil if either German sled falters.

Match analytics

Friedrich’s crew is our pick to take Heat 4, with Lochner as the closest challenger and Great Britain as a potential podium surprise if ice conditions fluctuate. On a technical track like Cortina’s, experience tends to pay off. Friedrich’s mix of explosive starts and near-perfect precision through the course gives him a clear edge when stakes are high. Lochner’s recent World Cup title keeps him within striking distance, particularly if Friedrich makes even a minor mistake, while Britain’s disciplined consistency makes them an intriguing contender should the odds shift.

Tip: Who Will Win: Francesco Friedrich – Yes at 3.32 odds on 1xBit.