Alexander Zubkov wins bobsleigh gold for Russia after ending retirement

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/17/alexander-zubkov-bobsleigh-gold-sochi

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Russia’s Alexander Zubkov secured the Olympic bobsleigh gold he came out of retirement to win when he powered to the two-man title at the Sochi Games on Monday.

The 39-year-old, Russia’s flagbearer at the Games opening ceremony, proved uncatchable on home ice and sealed victory with two more solid runs in front of an exuberant crowd at the Sanki Sliding Centre, from where chants of “Rossiya” echoed down the valley.

Pushed by formidable brakeman and Sochi native Alexey Voevoda, a former arm wrestling world champion, Zubkov extended his first-day lead to half a second with a track-record 56.08 seconds on his third run and was quickest of all again on his final slide.

The podium placings did not change from their overnight look, Zubkov winning by 0.66sec with Switzerland’s Beat Hefti taking silver and Steve Holcomb of the United States bronze.

Zubkov briefly entered politics after winning a bronze with Voevoda in Vancouver four years ago, before returning to the sport in an attempt to win gold at his home Games. The pair also won Olympic silver in Russia’s four-man sled in 2006.