Austrian Bobsled Crashes at Olympics, Team Member Injured
Austrian bobsled athletes faced a mishap during the Olympics, resulting in an injury and a disqualification for their team. The incident occurred during the second run of the four-man bobsled event.
Incident Overview
On February 21, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, the Austrian sled tipped over on Curve 7, leading to significant competition delays. It slid nearly to the finish line before coming to a halt.
Team Members Involved
- Jakob Mandlbauer – Pilot
- Daniel Bertschler
- Sebastian Mitterer
- Daiyehan Nichols-Bardi
Medical personnel attended to one team member on the track while the others managed to walk away unassisted.
Medical Response
The team member receiving care was Mandlbauer, who was later transported to the hospital for a precautionary check. Christoph Iglhauser, the team’s press attaché, confirmed, “He’s not so bad. It’s just a check. Everyone else is fine.”
Competition Outcome
Due to the crash, the Austrian team’s run did not count. According to bobsled regulations, all four athletes must cross the finish line with their sled for the run to be valid. The team registered a “Did Not Finish” status and was disqualified from the event.
Team Standing
Prior to the unfortunate incident, the Austrian team held the 21st position after their first run.
This incident highlights the risks associated with bobsled competitions and underscores the inherent dangers athletes face in pursuit of Olympic glory. Further updates on the team’s situation will be provided as they become available.
