A routine World Cup competition in Switzerland turned into a heart-stopping moment for Team USA on January 11. The scene unfolded at the famous St. Moritz track, where bobsled driver Kris Horn found himself in a perilous situation. His three teammates failed to board the four-man sled during the crucial loading phase.
Chaos at the Start
What should have been a synchronized push-off quickly descended into chaos. Within seconds, the sled launched down the icy track with only Horn inside. Officials and spectators watched with growing concern. The St. Moritz track is renowned for its technical difficulty, requiring extreme precision at high speeds.
Video footage from the race clearly shows the sequence of events. Horn entered the sled cleanly as expected. Meanwhile, his teammates Ryan Rager, Hunter Powell, and Caleb Furnell stumbled during their loading attempt. They crashed into the side of the track in a domino-like collision, leaving the sled without its full crew.
A Dangerous Solo Journey
With the sled already accelerating and no brakeman onboard, Horn faced an unprecedented challenge. The run quickly transformed from a competitive effort into a test of survival. Speeds approached 80 miles per hour on one of the world's most demanding bobsled courses.
Horn made a critical decision mid-run. With nobody controlling the sled from the rear position, he maneuvered from his driver's seat to the back. This risky move allowed him to stabilize the sled and navigate the remaining course safely. His unique background proved invaluable in this moment.
Experience Under Pressure
Before becoming a driver, the 31-year-old athlete began his bobsled career as a brakeman. This gave him rare familiarity with the rear position, even under extreme pressure. Horn represented the United States at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, bringing valuable experience to this frightening situation.
Remarkably, Horn managed to guide the sled to the finish line without injury. Trackside officials and teammates immediately assessed his condition after the run. Everyone felt profound relief that the outcome wasn't more serious.
Aftermath and Assessment
Teammate Hunter Powell later told the Associated Press he felt "a little sore" following the incident. Medical examinations brought more good news. X-rays for all three athletes returned negative results, confirming no serious injuries from their track-side collision.
USA Bobsled head coach Chris Fogt acknowledged how close the team came to disaster. He stated they were fortunate the situation didn't result in severe consequences. The St. Moritz track's reputation for technical difficulty made Horn's solo run even more alarming for observers.
Looking Ahead
With one World Cup race remaining before USA Bobsled and Skeleton finalizes selections for the upcoming Winter Olympics, Horn remains in contention for the team. The incident highlighted both the unpredictability of bobsledding and Horn's remarkable composure under extreme circumstances.
What began as a near-catastrophe ultimately became a moment of stunned relief for Team USA. Horn's quick thinking and specialized skills turned a potentially disastrous situation into a testament to athlete resilience in high-pressure sports.
