German bobsleigh star killed in accident

12 March 2004

KOENIGSEE – German bobsleigh star Yvonne Cernota died after a training accident in Koenigsee on Friday, German police have confirmed.

Cernota, who finished fourth at the world championships earlier this year, was training with Stefan Grandi on the artificial ice track in Koenigsee when her sled was thrown out of the track.

Police said the accident happened at half past ten. She was immediately treated by three doctors, but died in the helicopter that was transporting her to hospital.

Cernota, who achieved most her success on the brakes, was in Koenigsee for a week-long course to learn to drive the sled.

Grandi was seriously injured in the accident, police said.

An official of the German bobsleigh association said she did not know how the accident could have happened. “There will be a police inquiry,” she said.

Cernota and her team mate Cathleen Martini, which whom she raced at the world championships, was to be honoured as the second best team at a sports award ceremony in Sachsen on Saturday.