Lisa Buckwitz breaks through to claim maiden European monobob title in Sigulda

Germany’s Lisa Buckwitz claimed her maiden European title with gold in the women’s monobob at Sigulda.

Buckwitz won her fourth World Cup race of the season but first continental crown at the Latvian venue.

A start record of 5.55 seconds in the second run saw her climb from third position into top spot and extend her lead in the overall standings from Kaysha Love and Bree Walker.

Silver went to Romania’s Andreea Grecu, 0.27s behind Buckwitz, with a tie for bronze seeing world and European champion Laura Nolte and Olympic silver medallist Elana Meyers Taylor of USA share their spot in the podium.

It was Meyers Taylor’s first podium finish since giving birth to her second son in the winter of 2022.

There was a shock in the two-man competition as Germany took gold but not through the anticipated source.

Adam Ammour and Benedikt Hertel took their first World Cup victory with Francesco Friedrich settling for bronze alongside Matthias Sommer behind Michael Vogt and Sandro Michel of Switzerland.