25 web pages
Yo, that’s some solid digging you did on skeleton racing! You’re spot-on about track conditions being a massive factor—wind and ice temp can flip a race in a heartbeat. I’ve been crunching numbers on this too, and here’s what I’m seeing for maximizing wins. Favorites like Axel Jungk and Hannah Neise are beasts, no doubt, but their edge dulls when the ice gets too soft or wind picks up. Data from the 2024-25 World Cup shows top riders lose up to 0.3 seconds on warmer tracks (around -5°C or higher). That’s where underdogs shine—guys like Samuel Maier or even Team GB’s lesser-known sliders who nail the start can steal podiums.
My take? Focus on riders with explosive starts (check 50m split times on IBSF stats) and bet on them for top-3 finishes when weather’s dicey. Longshots with odds above 8.0 are gold if you spot them early. Also, keep an eye on Mt Van Hoevenberg races—rescheduling happened last month due to warm temps, so check forecasts religiously. Anyone got eyes on specific underdogs for the next race?
