Olympic Champion Felix Loch takes his second triple victory

Altenberg (RWH)  Olympic Champion Felix Loch has taken a triple victory for the second time in his career. The current World Champion from Germany not only secured European Championship gold, but also won the overall Viessmann World Cup at the 8th round in Altenberg, Germany, which also doubled as the 47th International Luge Federation (FIL) European Championships for winter 2015/2016.

With a 150-point advantage over his rivals, Loch cannot be beaten in the overall standings and therefore clinches the fifth overall victory of his career ahead of the season finale next weekend. Loch won his first triple, which consists of World Championship and European Championship gold and the overall World Cup title, back in the 2012/2013 season. Loch, who took his 31st Viessmann World Cup win, also took his eighth victory in a row in Altenberg, including the 2012 World Championships and last year’s FIL Sprint. It was his seventh victory in a row in the winter 2015/2016 season.

Russia’s Junior World Champion Roman Repilov finished second to claim silver in the European Championships, and also lies second in the overall standings. He moved up from seventh at the halfway stage to finish second. American Chris Mazdzer, who won in Lake Placid and Park City this year, lies third overall in the World Cup. European Championship bronze went to Germany’s Ralf Palik, who is currently fourth in the World Cup standings.

Loch (890) is trailed in the overall Viessmann World Cup standings by the Austrian Wolfgang Kindl (740), who finished fifth in Altenberg, and American Chris Mazdzer (615).

The finale of the Viessmann Luge World Cup is set to take place next weekend in Winterberg (GER). The artificial ice track in Hochsauerland will host the 48th FIL World Championships in 2019. Next winter, Innsbruck (AUT) will host the 47th FIL World Championships.

Quotes

Felix Loch (GER / Olympic Champion of 2010 and 2014, five-time World Champion in men’s singles, European Championship 2013 and 2016, and five-time overall winner)

“I have led the way by achieving the triple, so now my favourite football team FC Bayern Munich has to follow suit.” I don’t actually have any secrets. I have a very good sled, I make good starts and I drive well.”

Roman Repilov (RUS / Junior World Champion in 2015 and 2016, European Championship runner-up in 2016)

“This is my greatest success, it’s even worth more than my two gold medals in the junior category. I want to really challenge Felix Loch for victory in future. Especially at the Olympics in Korea in two years.”

Chris Mazdzer (USA / World Championship fourth 2016)

“It will be a really close-run thing to take a podium position in the overall World Cup standings. I currently have a lead of 44 points, but we’re competing on a German track at the season finale next weekend.”