Frank Del Duca and Josh Williamson are currently in a close race for a medal at the Winter Olympics in Italy. After the first two runs of the two-man bobsled event, the American team holds fourth place with a combined time of 1 minute, 54.21 seconds. They are competing against a dominant German team that has won almost every major race this season. The pressure is high as they prepare for the final two runs on Tuesday. To keep their equipment in top shape, the pair even chose to walk barefoot on freezing concrete after their runs, showing the physical risks they are willing to take for small gains in speed.
Current Standing and Competition
The U.S. team is led by pilot Frank Del Duca, a native of Bethel, Maine, and brakeman Josh Williamson. They are currently positioned just outside the top three spots. The main challenge comes from German teams, which have controlled the sport recently.
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German Dominance: Germany won 38 out of 42 possible medals on the World Cup circuit this year.
The Gap: Del Duca is currently fighting with a German pilot named Ammour for the third-place position.
Timing: The team recorded a time of 1:54.21 over their first two attempts.
| Position | Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Top 3 | Germany (Various) | Current Leaders |
| 4th | Del Duca / Williamson (USA) | In Medal Contention |
| Target | Bronze Medal | Race is against Ammour (Germany) |
The U.S. team must perform two more clean runs on Tuesday to have a chance at taking a medal away from the German favorites.
Technical Decisions and Physical Strain
Following their first two runs in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Frank Del Duca and Josh Williamson were seen walking barefoot on cold concrete while talking to the media. This was not a mistake, but a choice to protect their racing shoes.
"They carried their racing spikes but didn’t want to wear them on the concrete in order to avoid damage," according to reports from the track.
The concrete was subfreezing, and the athletes spent roughly 20 minutes outside without shoes. Curt Tomasevicz, the Director of Sport Performance for USA Bobsled, eventually brought them sneakers and warm clothes. This event highlights the tension between keeping gear perfect and maintaining the health of the athletes. It raises the question of whether the physical toll of standing on ice-cold ground might impact their recovery for the final runs.
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Personal Background and the "Muscle Car"
Frank Del Duca has a background that mixes a love for mechanics and his Italian heritage. Reports indicate that he has a strong attachment to a specific vehicle, often referred to as a muscle car, which he refused to sell even during difficult times.
The Muscle Car: He reportedly "didn't want to sell the car" and has quietly kept it as he progressed in his career.
Heritage: Del Duca is vocal about his pride in Italian cooking. He often talks about his bolognese sauce, lasagna, and his first job making pizza.
Philosophy: He believes the best results, both in the kitchen and on the ice, come from using "just a few ingredients" or keeping things simple and focused.
Differing Perspectives on the Medal Race
The situation presents two different ways to look at the upcoming final runs:
View A: The Opportunity for an Upset
Some observers believe the U.S. team is in a perfect position to surprise the field. Being in fourth place means they are close enough to strike if any of the top three teams make a small mistake. Del Duca has "seen a lot of ups and downs" and may have the mental toughness needed for the final day.
View B: The German Statistical Wall
Other analysts point to the data. Since Germany has won 90% of the medals this season, the odds of a U.S. team breaking into the top three are statistically low. This view suggests that even two "good" runs might not be enough to overcome the technical lead the Germans currently hold.
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Expert Analysis
Curt Tomasevicz, a former gold medalist and current Director of Sport Performance, provided support for the athletes during their recovery. His quick action to provide warm gear after their barefoot media session shows the high level of care required at this stage.
"The race might really be for third between Ammour and Del Duca," notes the analysis of the current leaderboard.
Investigators looking at the performance data see that the time difference between third and fourth is small. However, bobsledding is a sport where small errors in the "groove" of the ice can result in losing fractions of a second that are impossible to recover.
Summary of Findings
The investigation into the team's current status reveals three core facts:
Performance: The team is mathematically in the race for a bronze medal, sitting in 4th place.
Equipment Care: The athletes are prioritizing gear integrity (racing spikes) over immediate physical comfort, as seen in the barefoot incident.
Opposition: The German teams remain the primary obstacle to a U.S. podium finish.
The final two runs will determine if Del Duca's simple approach to "cooking" on the ice will result in the first U.S. two-man bobsled medal of these games.
Sources Used
Associated Press (AP): Detailed account of the barefoot incident in Cortina d’Ampezzo. https://apnews.com/article/usa-bobsled-olympics-cold-barefoot-5c11aa3e50564efc5f8abf23d0908dd0
Portland Press Herald: Statistics on the race times and German medal dominance. https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/16/mainer-frank-del-duca-in-two-man-bobsled-medal-contention-at-winter-olympics/
WBUR News: Context on Del Duca's background, Maine heritage, and personal interests. https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/02/17/frank-del-duca-maine-bobsled-heritage
92.9 The Ticket: Details regarding the athlete's journey and his history with his car. https://929theticket.com/frank-del-duca-bobsled-pilot/
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