Lange closes in on defence of two-man title in Whistler

From Sportsbeat Staff, in Vancouver

GERMANY'S Andre Lange took a small step closer to defending his two-man bobsleigh title after setting the quickest third run time at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

EDGING CLOSER: Germany's Andre Lange takes a small step closer to defending his two-man bobsleigh Olympic crown (Getty Images)

Having lagged behind teammate Andre Florschuetz in the first run, the 36-year old bounced back to claim the lead at the half-way stage on Saturday.

And the triple Olympic champion extended his advantage to 0.16 seconds after the third run on Sunday, shooting down 0.05 quicker than Florschuetz at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Florschuetz stayed in silver medal position with the second-fastest time of the day and their 0.57 advantage over third-placed Russian AlexanderZubkov.

Switzerland's World Cup champion Ivo Rueegg had been conspicuous in his absence from the podium positions, but the 38-year old moved ahead of USA's Steven Holcomb into fourth ahead of the medal run, with 0.25 to make up on Zubkov.

 

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day ten of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver