Friedrich leads early German podium charge at halfway of 2-man bobsleigh worlds

After two runs, the host German teams are primed for a podium sweep, holding down the top four spots at the two-man bobsleigh world championships in Altenberg on Saturday.

Francesco Friedrich and Thorsten Margis continued their dominant form, clocking a combined leading time of one minute, 48.09 seconds.

Friedrich is a massive favourite to win his sixth consecutive two-man title. The reigning Olympic champ currently has a 94-hundredths of a second lead over fellow countrymen Nico Walther and Eric Franke (1:49.03).

Johannes Lochner and Christopher Weber (1:49.18) are third, while Richard Oelsner and Malte Schwenzfeier (1:49.19) are fourth.

Canada's Justin Kripps and Cameron Stones are ninth. Kripps, who tied Friedrich and Margis for gold in Pyeongchang (with then-brakeman Alexander Kopacz) avoided complete disaster but still finished well back of the pack with 1:49.60.

WATCH | Canada's Kripps sits 9th after opening heats:

Canada's Kripps avoids disaster but sits 9th at 2-man world championships

5 years ago

Duration 2:07

Justin Kripps with brakeman Cameron Stones get off to a strong start in their second heat but nearly crash leaving the Canadians in ninth at the halfway point in Altenberg, Germany.

Heats 3 and 4 are scheduled for Sunday morning and can be seen live on CBCSports.ca starting at 8:30 a.m. ET.