American bobsled duo needs strong runs for shot at a medal

United States’ Army Sgt. Frank Del Duca, front, and Joshua Williamson arrive at the finish during a two-man bobsled run at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (Aijaz Rahi/AP)

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Most athletes would be thrilled to be in the shoes of Army Sgt. Frank Del Duca and teammate Joshua Williamson.

But the two definitely had mixed feelings themselves following the second run of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics two-man bobsled event Monday at the Cortina Sliding Centre.

The American duo sits in fourth place with a total time of 1 minute, 51.24 seconds over the first two heats. Del Duca and Williamson are just 0.1 seconds behind Germany’s Adam Ammour and Alexander Schaller in third place.

Two other German teams are in first (Johannes Locher and Georg Fleischhauer at 1:49.90) and second (Francesco Frierich and Alexander Schuller at 1:50.70).

Del Duca called Monday’s performance a mixed bag. USA Bobsled’s No. 1 pilot said he made too many errors on the track, including hitting the top edge of one turn during the second run.

“Part of me is kicking myself for that mistake, but I acknowledge that this is four runs and I believe that I can do better (Tuesday),” Del Duca said. “So, I’m happy that we’re only a tenth (of a second) out of a medal despite my mistakes.”

One of the areas of concern, Del Duca mentioned, was the first labyrinth, or a part of the track with three quick turns in quick succession. He said he didn’t know the last time he was that bad in that stretch of the race in consecutive runs.

The 34-year-old Bethel, Maine, native also pointed to the exit of Turn No. 3, all of Turn No. 4 and the start of the second labyrinth where he skidded as spots that slowed down the sled.

Del Duca said he will watch film Monday night to try to find places to make up time.

“It’s important to acknowledge what goes well, but you have to look at your mistakes. It’s a weird thing where you almost obsess over your mistakes and try to clean them up,” Del Duca said. “It’s a lot of looking where I lost time.”

He and Williamson have plenty of time to prepare for Tuesday’s final two runs, which begin at 7 and 9:05 p.m. CET. Del Duca said he will adjust his sleep schedule by staying up late Monday and waking up later Tuesday, so he won’t be tired come evening.

As well as the start times, the condition of the ice could have an effect as well, but Del Duca downplayed that.

He said colder weather would give bobsled pilots less grip. But their closest competitors would also be under the same conditions if the ice deteriorates.

Del Duca praised Cortina’s track as the most consistent on the World Cup tour.

He said he and Williamson simply must produce their A game if they wish to grab a medal.

“We don’t want luck — we just want to earn it,” Del Duca said. “We don’t want to be benefited or hurt by the sort of (ice issue).”