On October 25, the National Bobsleigh, Skeleton, and Luge Team held a media day at the Yanqing Ice Training Center in Beijing. Although bobsleigh and luge may still be considered niche sports in China, the teams have recently made impressive strides. Looking ahead to the Milan Winter Olympics, the athletes have set ambitious new goals.
The competition within the Chinese bobsleigh team is intense, with only slight differences in performance among the athletes, creating an environment ripe for breakthroughs. Last season, the Chinese team, consisting of Sun Kaizhi, Ding Song, Zhen Heng, and Ye Jielong, captured a bronze medal in the four-man event at the IBSF Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup, achieving the best result ever for China at this level with a time of 1:57.44. Notably, they ranked first among 11 teams in the first round with a time of 58.58 seconds, showcasing just how quickly the gap with elite international competitors is closing.
Reflecting on the experience, Sun Kaizhi shared, “Competing on our home track, everyone was determined to give it their all. We had the mindset of ‘those who are barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes.’” He laughed about the moment they realized they had clinched third place, admitting they were so caught up in the excitement that it wasn’t until high-fiving their coach after the announcement that they confirmed their standing.
The four-man bobsleigh event requires even more precision and teamwork compared to the two-man event. According to Sun, the first member of the team serves as the “steerer,” while the two middle athletes shift their weight to help guide the sled during turns. After crossing the finish line, the brakeman pulls the brake. Before each run, the team practices simulation starts and works to build team cohesion, particularly focusing on the crucial starting phase, where synchronized effort is vital to achieve optimal speed.
During our interview, Sun demonstrated his signature pre-race routine of gathering the team’s focus before each start. “Before we push off, I gather everyone together—when I raise my hand, they place their hands on mine, and we rally together,” he explained.
“We aim to use this success as a stepping stone to push for even higher placements,” Sun added, noting a boost in confidence following their historical achievement last year. He mentioned that the team’s performance in the four-man event currently stands out more than in the two-man, which makes them even more competitive. Sun Fan, the head coach, believes that the advancements in the four-man project are a natural outcome of increased teamwork and a deeper understanding of the sport.
Looking ahead, Sun indicated that the team plans to concentrate their efforts in the second half of the season, aiming to build on last year’s success at the World Championships and on familiar tracks.
As a rising star in the team, Shi Xiangyu has also made notable progress, securing a bronze medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon this past January. “The first batch of drivers started from scratch, so I could learn from their experiences and grow faster,” he noted regarding his own development.
Having transitioned from rowing to bobsleigh, Shi is working to improve his understanding of the sport while enhancing his cooperation with teammates. “Given the high speeds in bobsleigh, it’s often hard to see markers on the course—the experience you accumulate helps you navigate better and enhances your feel for the run,” he explained.
This remains a key focus for Shi this season, as he seeks to gain experience competing in the Europa Cup and Continental Cup, building his skills while striving to excel on each new track.
Turning to the skeleton event, anticipation for the Chinese skeleton team’s performances is high. Coach Wang Xuexia shared that the current roster includes 11 athletes, with all key players from last season returning. Sun Fan highlighted that both the bobsleigh and skeleton teams are building around experienced athletes, who will be vital for preparations leading up to the Milan Olympics.
After last season’s breakthroughs, the team is focused on enhancing athleticism and has high hopes for the upcoming events. Zhao Dan, who carried the flag for China at the Beijing Winter Olympics, shone in the last season’s World Cup where she earned a silver medal—the first for a Chinese woman in skeleton at this level. “With each passing day, our team’s strength improves,” she said. “We’re on an upward trajectory, and with the Olympics on the horizon, we’re not holding back in any of our competitions.”
Looking towards the upcoming skeleton World Cup in Yanqing, Zhao expressed her eagerness to achieve more at home, saying, “I want to see our national flag fly and our national anthem played right here in Beijing.”
Zhao has changed her skeleton equipment post-Olympics and is adapting to a new coaching style. “Every coach brings something different; I have to adapt and sometimes change training methods to find what works best for me,” she detailed. Throughout the summer, she diligently focused on building strength and preparing for the winter season, aiming to quickly find her rhythm on the track.
The historic bronze medal by Yan Wengang at the Beijing Olympics has attracted more interest in skeleton, prompting a surge in talent and participation in the sport, which Zhao sees as a significant factor in the team’s growth.
Last season, Yin Zheng emerged as a World Cup “Triple Crown” champion. With two years of experience under his belt, he has developed a deeper connection with his sled. “It’s like learning to drive; at first, you’re unfamiliar with the controls, but as you accumulate experience, you’ll find a greater harmony with the sled,” he illustrated.
The rapid progress of Chinese athletes has caught the attention of traditional European powerhouses, with foreign competitors curious to understand how the Chinese are improving their skills so quickly. Currently, due to injury challenges, Yin is focused on conservatively training for the upcoming season, especially the World Championships and Milan Olympics next spring. He chose not to set specific goals for the upcoming World Cup in Yanqing, instead opting for a relaxed approach: “Just to perform normally will be enough.”
Coach Wang Xuexia noted the importance of fostering healthy competition within the squad through the development of a training program focused on nurturing junior athletes, enabling them to gain valuable competition experience while the main team targets further achievements on the global stage, including the upcoming European World Cup events.
As for the luge team, the opening leg of the World Cup season will commence on November 29 in Norway. Team leader Xu Jincheng mentioned that they have 14 athletes this season, each vying for Olympic qualification and points in this pre-Olympic year.
“Our target for the Milan Olympics in luge is to secure a place in the top eight and strive for the top six,” Xu expressed. The primary focus will be on the men’s doubles and team relay events, where the team aims to improve their standings following a fifth-place finish last season.
Coach Kan Yue highlighted the fast-paced development of the doubles team and expressed excitement for their potential in the relay events. “This season is crucial for Olympic qualifiers—athletes need to accumulate foundational points and track time,” he emphasized.
Looking ahead, Gu Lijie and Zhao Jiaying, a newly formed duo, are showing promise in the women’s doubles. Having just completed their first season together, they ranked ninth at the World Championships last season. “It’s essential to point out issues as they arise so we can improve together,” Zhao commented on their partnership.
Both athletes are eager to make an impact at the Milan Olympics while aiming for podium finishes along the way.
In the men’s doubles, the pairing of Ju Baiyi and Hou Shuo is steadily enhancing their skills, with ambitions to break into the seeded teams in this World Cup season. Competing on their home track, they are determined to achieve greater heights in the upcoming events.
