Reich speeds to first Swiss bobsleigh title
Christian Reich has clinched his first Swiss Bobsleigh Championship title by winning the four-man event in St Moritz, pushing reigning champion, Reto Götschi, into second place.
Reich was the favourite throughout the competition and clocked the fastest time in both the first and second runs finishing half a second ahead of Götschi.
Martin Annen was relegated to third place with a national title still proving elusive. He finished more than a second behind Reich.
Reich piloted the bobsleigh with teammates Steve Anderhaub, Urs Aeberhard and Stefan Hammer.
The 35-year-old from canton Aargau is no stranger to podium places, having won 15 silver medals as breakman and steersman in earlier competitions. But Saturday marked his first time as out-and-out winner.
Sunday’s action followed the surprise win of Ivo Rüegg, accompanied by brakeman Stefan Bamert, in the two-man bobsleigh on Saturday. The 31-year-old from canton Schywz pulled off an amazing second run which put him ahead of the country’s bigger names, despite coming fourth in the first run.
Like Reich, the competition in St Moritz, marked the first time Rüegg has won a gold medal in the Swiss championships.
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