PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — Up in the starting area on a frigid night in the mountains, only three women's bobsled pilots remained. One was the two-time defending Olympic gold medalist. Another was the reigning world champion. And the third was someone without a single victory of any international significance on her resume.
Guess who prevailed?
Women's bobsledding has a new star, and a surprise Olympic champion. Germany's Mariama Jamanka — winless in 23 career top-tier starts in her sport coming into the Pyeongchang Games — put together four nearly flawless runs on her way to winning gold at the Alpensia Sliding Center on Wednesday night, holding off Elana Meyers Taylor of the U.