Overview
- Francesco Friedrich said planning runs only through the 2026 Winter Games, with a decision on continuing to come after Cortina.
- He plans to personally hand the two‑man overall World Cup trophy to Johannes Lochner in Cortina after losing it due to a doping case involving pusher Simon Wulff.
- Friedrich identified the November 22 World Cup on the Cortina Olympic track as a direction‑setting test for form ahead of February.
- Rival pilot Johannes Lochner has confirmed he will retire after the 2026 Olympics and is targeting gold in his final season.
- The World Cup final is scheduled for January 18 in Altenberg, a key home stop for Friedrich before the Games.