Francesco Friedrich celebrates another IBSF World Cup success in the four-man bob at Innsbruck ©IBSF

Germany’s Olympic and world champion Francesco Friedrich earned his 10th International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Cup victory in the four-man bobsleigh at Innsbruck in Austria today.

That further strengthened his overall lead in the World Cup standings after five events.

Racing with Candy Bauer, Martin Grothkopp and Alexander Schueller, Friedrich ended the two runs with a 0.33-second lead over his fellow German Johannes Lochner, the European champion, at the Olympic Sliding Centre. 

Friedrich guided his bob to victory in both heats, clocking 50.92 and 50.96 for an overall time of 1min 41.88sec.

With his crew of Florian Bauer, Christopher Weber and Christian Rasp, Lochner finished second in the first heat, on 50.98, and third in the following heat in 51.23 – enough for overall silver on 1:42.21.

Winning a surprise third place was Hunter Church of the United States, who celebrated his first World Cup podium finish in company with Joshua Williamson, James Reed and Kristopher Horn on 1:42.30.

Friedrich leads the overall four-man bob World Cup standings on 1,277 points, with Lochner on 1,239 and Justin Kripps of Canada, fifth today, who is on 1,178.

The IBSF World Cup circuit is now due to move to Königssee in Germany for the next competition, from January 24 to 26.