Holcomb: Sochi track designed with safety in mind

SOCHI, Russia (AP) - Olympic gold-medalist Steven Holcomb will defend his bobsled title next year on a slower course - a track he believes was designed with safety in mind after a luger died during a training run at the 2010 Olympics.

Holcomb, in Sochi for training this week, said there were three points on the sliding course that go slightly uphill, dampening speeds that can reach up to 85 mph in luge.

The course for the 2010 Games came under scrutiny after Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili's fatal crash during a training run in Whistler.

Holcomb, who won gold in the four-man bobsled, said the course in Sochi doesn't rival the Whistler track for speed.

He says the track is still plenty fast, "but at the same time, they want to minimize danger and minimize accidents.''