Austrian Bobsleigh Pilot Hurt in Olympics Crash

Austrian bobsleigh pilot Jakob Mandlbauer escaped serious injury after his team's sled overturned in a dramatic crash during the second heat of the four-man final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Saturday, February 21.

The incident occurred midway through the run on Curve 7, where the nearly 1,500-pound sled lost control, flipped upside down and slid uncontrollably toward the finish line with all four athletes inside. Mandlbauer, 27 and making his Olympic debut, and his teammates, Daniel Bertschler, Sebastian Mitterer and Daiyehan Nichols-Bardi, ducked to shield themselves as the sled rolled. The three teammates emerged unharmed and walked back to the athlete area after brief medical checks at the track, but Mandlbauer remained immobilized in the wreckage, complaining of neck pain. He stayed conscious throughout, able to move his arms, body and head.

Medics rushed to the scene, providing on-site treatment for about 20 minutes before stretchering Mandlbauer off the course. The crash damaged the track surface, requiring volunteers to repair it before competition resumed. Officials confirmed the Austrian team was disqualified for failing to cross the...