Justin Kripps, Ryan Sommer, Cam Stones and Benjamin Coakwell finished with a cumulative time of 3:55 9/100 after round four, where they clocked 59.27s.
This time was just enough to keep a slim lead over the German team of Christoph Hafer, 4th in the final standings with a total of 3:55.15.
The Canadians had a lead of 0.08s over their opponents going into the final run and Justin Kripps’ piloting made the difference, especially towards the end of the course.
It’s a huge accomplishment and I have no words to describe what I’m feeling right now. We gave it our all in the past four years and finally medaled at the Olympics
launched Kripps, who was struggling to contain his emotions a few seconds before getting on the podium.
« The guys did a tremendous job and we couldn’t be happier. It’s incredible! »
Germany will still leave the National Center for Sliding Sports in Yanqing with two more medals on the clock.
World and Olympic champions Francesco Friedrich, Margis Thorsten, Candy Bauer and Alexander Schueller were again crowned thanks to their cumulative time of 3:54.30.
Their compatriots Johannes Lochner, Florian Bauer, Christopher Weber and Christian Rasp (+0.37s) followed in 2nd place to complete the double.
The Germans therefore conclude the Beijing Olympics with a harvest of 16 medals in sliding sports, which also include luge and skeleton. They climbed to the top step of the podium in all events, women’s and men’s combined, except in monobob.
The pilot Francesco Friedrich wins a second gold medal in Beijing, after that in the 2-man bobsleigh.
Photo : Getty Images / Julian Finney
Also in action during the fourth and final run, Canadians Christopher Spring, Cody Sorensen, Samuel Giguère and Mike Evelyn (+2.69 s) had an excellent last run to take 9th place in the final standings.
« It was an amazing experience! We’ve been through the full gamut of emotions this season and it’s brought us a lot closer together. I love my teammates and we had a lot of fun on the track during the Games. »
The last Maple Leaf quartet in the running, made up of Taylor Austin, Daniel Sunderland, Chris Patrician and Jay Dearborn, meanwhile missed the qualification threshold for the final round, reserved for the 20 best teams. He finished 23rd.
We were all at our first Olympic Games and we had our ups and downs. For sure we are a bit disappointed with our result, but we all gave our best and we look ahead from here.
mentioned driver Taylor Austin.