Winterberg (pps) The bobsleigh and luge track in Winterberg will be hosting its 23rd Viessmann Luge World Cup this weekend. In 2012, Germany’s Felix Loch replaced “serial winner” Armin Zoeggeler of Italy who won three of his four victories in succession in the 2008-2009, 2009-2010 as well as the 2010-2011 seasons. The 39-year old Zoeggeler, however, is not likely to remember his last year’s result when he posted an 18th-place finish. Ralf Palik and David Moeller (both of Germany) finished second and third, respectively. In the 2012 winter, “local hero” Corinna Martini celebrated the first World Cup victory of her still young career in front of a home crowd, while her teammates Tatjana Huefner and Natalie Geisenberger claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively. The podium finishes in the doubles were divided among three different nations: Tobias Wendl-Tobias Arlt (GER) managed to repeat their 2011 victory, and after three successive wins the Italian team of Oberstolz-Gruber took silver while the two-time Olympic Champions Wolfgang and Andreas Linger of Austria (brothers) earned bronze. As in 2011, the victory in the FIL Team Relay event again went to Germany, ahead of the USA and Latvia. This year, however, the FIL Team Relay event is not part of the Winterberg competition program.

Wendl Arlt Wc Winterberg 819 C Dietmar Reker 01