Dave Wesselink and Jelen Franjic have secured the Netherlands' best-ever Olympic result in two-man bobsled with a tenth-place finish at Milano Cortina 2026.
The Dutch duo delivered a remarkable debut performance on the Olympic stage, marking a historic achievement for Netherlands bobsled. Wesselink, serving as pilot, and Franjic as brakeman, navigated the challenging Cortina d'Ampezzo track to claim a top-ten finish in their first Olympic appearance together.
The tenth-place result represents a significant milestone for Dutch bobsled, surpassing all previous Olympic performances in the two-man event. The Netherlands has traditionally been stronger in speed skating and other winter disciplines, making this bobsled breakthrough particularly noteworthy for the nation's winter sports program.
Historic Result for Dutch Bobsled
TeamNL celebrated the achievement as a confidence-building performance that demonstrates the growing competitiveness of the Dutch bobsled program. The result comes at a time when several nations outside the traditional bobsled powerhouses have been investing in sled sports development.
Wesselink and Franjic's consistency across the Olympic runs proved crucial in securing their place among the world's elite bobsled teams. Competing against established crews from traditional bobsled nations, the Dutch pair showed they belong at the highest level of international competition.
Building Momentum for the Future
The strong debut performance at Milano Cortina 2026 provides a solid foundation for the Dutch bobsled team moving forward. With both athletes gaining valuable Olympic experience, the result positions the Netherlands as a team to watch in future international competitions.
The achievement also highlights the broader development of winter sports in the Netherlands beyond the ice oval, where Dutch athletes have historically dominated. This diversification of winter sports success reflects the country's commitment to expanding its competitive reach across multiple disciplines.
