Germany's Francesco Friedrich moved a step closer to a record-equalling fifth consecutive two-man bobsleigh title at the IBSF World Championships in Whistler ©IBSF

Germany's Francesco Friedrich moved a step closer to a record-equalling fifth consecutive two-man bobsleigh title as he took the lead at the halfway stage of the event at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Championships in Whistler.

Freidrich, ubeaten in two-man competition for over a year, and partner Margis Thorsten completed their two runs in a combined time of 1min 42.31sec at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Justin Kripps of Canada, who shared the two-man gold medal with Friedrich at last year's Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, and team-mate Cameron Stones are 0.12 seconds adrift.

Third place is currently occupied by Nico Walther and Paul Krenz of Germany, who are 0.29 seconds behind the leading duo.

Olympic two and four-man champion Friedrich arrived in the Canadian city having become the first to complete a perfect World Cup season in the former event.

Canadian Justin Kripps is in second place at the halfway stage ©IBSF
Canadian Justin Kripps is in second place at the halfway stage ©IBSF

The 28-year-old and Thorsten made a promising start with a time of 51.03sec in their opening run.

The German pair were 0.07 seconds behind Kripps, who produced the fastest run of the day when he stopped the clock at 50.96, a track record.

Friedrich recorded a time of 51.28 in the second, while his Canadian rival faltered slightly and fell 0.12 behind after both runs.

It leaves the destination of the two-man world title finely poised going into the third and fourth runs, scheduled to be held tomorrow.

The first runs of the two-woman competition are also set to take place tomorrow.