Team USA bobsled run takes shocking turn when Kris Horn is the only one in the sled

A routine World Cup start turned into a frightening spectacle for Team USA on Jan. 11 in St. Moritz, Switzerland, when bobsled driver Kris Horn was forced to race alone after his three teammates failed to board the four-man sled. What should have been a coordinated push instead became chaos within seconds, as the sled launched down the track with only Horn inside. The incident immediately drew concern from officials and spectators, given the extreme speeds and precision normally required for a four-man run at one of the world’s most challenging tracks.


Video from the race shows Horn entering the sled cleanly, while his teammates Ryan Rager, Hunter Powell and Caleb Furnell stumbled during the loading phase, crashing into the side of the track in a domino-like collision. With the sled already accelerating and no brakeman onboard, Horn faced a dangerous and unprecedented scenario. The run, which reached speeds close to 80 mph, quickly shifted from a competitive effort to a test of survival and split-second decision-making.

Kris Horn completes terrifying solo descent after Team USA mishap

With no one controlling the sled from the rear, Horn made the risky decision to maneuver from his driver’s position to the back mid-run so he could stabilize the sled and safely navigate the course. The move was especially dangerous, but Horn’s background helped. Before becoming a driver, the 31-year-old began his bobsled career as a brakeman, giving him rare familiarity with the role under extreme pressure.





Horn, who represented the United States at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, managed to guide the sled to the finish line without injury. Trackside officials and teammates quickly assessed him after the run, relieved that the outcome was not far worse. Meanwhile, Powell later told the Associated Press that he was “a little sore,” though X-rays for all three athletes came back negative, confirming no serious injuries.


USA Bobsled head coach Chris Fogt acknowledged how close the team came to disaster, saying they were fortunate the situation did not result in severe consequences. The St. Moritz track is known for its technical difficulty, making the solo run even more alarming for those watching.


With one World Cup race remaining before USA Bobsled and Skeleton finalizes selections for the upcoming Winter Olympics, Horn is expected to remain in contention for the team. The incident, while frightening, underscored both the unpredictability of the sport and Horn’s composure under extreme circumstances, turning a near-catastrophe into a moment of stunned relief for Team USA.


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