PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — Confusion, disappointment and a very slight ray of optimism defined the first day of four-man bobsled competition for the USA, which saw two of its sleds struggle with conditions while a third clings within a whisper of medal contention.
Bad news first: USA sleds piloted by Nick Cunningham and Justin Olsen sit 20th and 21st, respectively, and will enter Sunday’s third and fourth runs racing for respectability, not gold, silver or bronze.
With temperatures slightly warmer than usual — a stiff breeze chilled spectators but had zero impact on the track itself — both sleds struggled on ice noticeably softer than during training runs and two-man competition.