Lake Placid Bob-WM Halted After Ice Melts Expose Dangerous Conditions

The second run of the Viererbob World Championship was annulled after competitors encountered exposed concrete on the track, raising concerns about Lake Placid as a potential Olympic venue.

The Viererbob World Championship in Lake Placid faced a major disruption as melting ice exposed concrete sections on the track, forcing a race stoppage and annulment of the second run.
German pilot Johannes Lochner damaged his sled’s rear runners after hitting exposed concrete in turn five, leading to significant delays and protests from the German team.
Reigning champion Francesco Friedrich managed to avoid the concrete but described the track conditions as unacceptable, though he maintained his lead after the first run with a 0.29-second advantage over Lochner.
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) plans to continue the competition with two more runs on Saturday, though rising temperatures could further complicate the schedule.
The incident has cast doubt on Lake Placid’s viability as a backup venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics, with athletes and officials questioning its ability to host high-level events under unpredictable weather conditions.