Members of the Korean males’s bobsleigh nationwide staff pose after arriving at Incheon Worldwide Airport, Tuesday. Yonhap
Korean bobsleigh pilot Kim Jin-su led his four-man staff to a World Cup bronze medal in November on the identical Italian monitor that can stage the Winter Olympics subsequent 12 months. Kim and his teammates are actually hoping they have not peaked too early.
Kim, pushmen Kim Solar-wook and Kim Hyeong-geun, and brakeman Lee Geon-u completed within the four-man competitors on the first Worldwide Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup of the season in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Nov. 23. It was Korea’s first World Cup podium end within the four-man bobsleigh occasion.
“We have been elated after we gained that bronze medal in Cortina d’Ampezzo, however we additionally wished that competitors have been the Olympics,” Kim instructed reporters Tuesday at Incheon Worldwide Airport, west of Seoul, after returning residence for a break within the World Cup season. “We can’t be content material with this World Cup bronze. We are going to maintain addressing our shortcomings and attempt to placed on an ideal race on the Olympics.”
Observe-up performances by Kim’s staff confirmed the quartet could have loads of work to do main as much as the Olympics. After Italy, Kim’s four-man staff had finishes of seventh place, sixth place and 14th place over the subsequent three World Cup races.
A German staff piloted by Johannes Lochner has gained three of the 4 World Cup occasions thus far, whereas one other German staff, led by Francesco Friedrich, has one victory and three different podium finishes.
A 3rd German squad, with Adam Ammour because the pilot, has put collectively 4 straight top-five finishes, together with a bronze medal and a silver medal at every of the previous two occasions.
As a lot as he wish to have finished higher at different World Cup stops, Kim stated his focus stays on mastering the Cortina d’Ampezzo monitor.
“It is a difficult monitor,” he stated. “Some elements could seem simple however are literally tough, and vice versa in another areas.”
Kim Hyeong-geun, one of many two pushmen, stated he and his teammates have made main strides with their begins however they haven’t but reached their high type.
“On the Olympics, we are going to attempt to have even quicker begins than these three German groups,” he added.
To that finish, the bobsledders plan to hit the load room even throughout their Christmas break.
“I’m purported to do some weight coaching on Christmas Eve,” Kim Jin-su stated. “Even throughout the World Cup break, I will not be taking a lot day without work.”
Kim Hyeong-geun added with a smile: “Since I’m competing with Jin-su on the identical staff, I’ve to maintain up with the load coaching. I’m going to be within the health club not simply on Christmas Eve, however on Christmas, too.”
