Jamanka steers Germany to gold

Germany won the women's Olympic bobsleigh gold medal on Wednesday after a steering masterclass by Mariama Jamanka earned her and partner Lisa Buckwitz their country's first success in the event since 2006.

American Elana Meyers Taylor, who won silver four years ago and bronze in 2010, and partner Lauren Gibbs piled on the pressure with a succession of fast starts but their advantage was whittled away each time and they took silver, seven hundredths of a second behind in three minutes, 22.52 seconds.

Canada's Kaillie Humphries, who won gold in the last two Games and started the day in fifth, added a bronze to her collection with new partner Phylicia George, who took up the sport only six months ago, 0.44 seconds off the pace.

After winning gold in 2006 Germany missed out on the podium in the next two Games but it was Stephanie Schneider who was expected to lead their challenge in Pyeongchang.

She managed only fourth place, however, as 27-year-old Jamanka, a former hammer thrower without a notable bobsleigh victory to her name, stepped up to the plate.

Leading by seven hundredths from the first two rounds she laid down the gauntlet with a course record 50.49 seconds, only for...