Königssee is sure to be a thrilling event ©IBSF

The Artificial Sliding Track at Königssee in Germany welcomes the sixth stop of the BMW International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup season, with the four-man bob reaching its final stages.

With Lake Placid, United States, and Winterberg in Germany having hosted double races, the four-man discipline only has two competitions left.

Defending title holder Francesco Friedrich is on top, with his German compatriot Johannes Lochner just behind on 40 points. 

Friedrich is also on top in the two-man event, dominating the standings with a 200-point lead over Switzerland's Michael Vogt.

The two-woman bob is less clear-cut, with just 20 points separating Kaillie Humphries of the United States and Germany's Stephanie Schneider. 

Also in the frame is Germany's Mariama Jamanka, who triumphed in Innsbruck last weekend.

Königssee has been a happy hunting ground for Humphries, Schnedier and Jamanka, who have all recorded victories there - so the competition could not be more wide open. 

World champion in men's skeleton, Latvia's Martin Dukurs, has a 29-point lead over title holder Alexander Tretiakov of Russia, with Olympic champion Sungbin Yun of South Korea trailing Dukurs by 40 points. 

Women's skeleton is also fascinating, with Germany's Jacqueline Lölling just 20 points ahead of European champion Janine Flock of Austria. 

A huge incentive for Lölling is that victory would make her the most successful German athlete in women’s skeleton World Cup, with 12 wins in total. 

Competition is due to begin tomorrow with the skeleton discipline.