East German Champ Sets Bobsledding Track Record

Olympic champion Wolfgang Hoppe of East Germany drove to a track record during preliminary two-man heats of the World Bobsled Championships.

Hoppe’s time Tuesday night of 54.92 seconds eclipsed by .07 seconds the record set two weeks ago during trials.

The Canadian team, led by Gary Haydenluck, trailed the East Germans by .2 seconds, with Nick Phillips leading Britain to a third-place time of 55.37 seconds on the newly restructured track.

Haydenluck edged Hoppe in the second heat by .04 second, posting a time of 55.46. Jan Kipurs of the Soviet Union was third at 55.68.

The first day of trials was marred by crashes involving teams from Czechoslovakia, Monaco and West Germany, although none of the competitors was injured.

All three American teams bettered their times from the first heat, finishing together in 16th through 18th positions during the second run.

Race organizers consider the East Germans to be the favorites among the 49 teams from 22 countries entered in the competition.

The two-man trials will end Friday, with the championship scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The four-man championship will be held next weekend after four days of qualifying.