About 500 spectators saw a narrow result in the first run and a surprising change in the second run at today’s World Cup event near Moscow. The conditions have been better than yesterday even if the track was still a bit uneven. Finally it was once more the Austrian Gerald Kallan who finished first, even though he had only been forth after the first run. “I liked the track from the beginning and I haven’t put too much pressure on myself that’s why I managed to do a very good second run”, he explained. In addition, Florian Breitenberger (ITA), the leader after the first run, did a very bad second run, what made him drop to rank seven.
Also World Cup leader Robert Batkowski had to frighten for his medal, because he made a bad mistake in the deciding curve. But in the end his time was enough for the silver medall, also due to the failure of his compatriot Gerhard Pilz, who had problems with a broken runner and lost two ranks. Nevertheless, Batkowski was happy about his performance,“ I have defended my World Cup lead, so I can be satisfied with my result.” Not that satisfying was the organisation of this third World Cup, which took place for the first time in Paramonowo, a small village 80km outside Moscow. It is already a popular destination for day-trippers and shall now become a center for sport events. Until next year the Russians are confident to solve their organisation problems and have already applied for next year’s World Cup.

Final Results:

1. Gerald Kallan (AUT), 45,44 (4), 45,20 (1), 1:30,64;
2. Robert Batkowski (AUT), 45,35 (3), 45,62 (5), 1:30,97;
3. Anton Blasbichler (ITA), 45,49 (5), 45,50 (2), 1:30,99;
4. Gerhard Pilz (AUT), 45,31 (2), 45,83 (6), 1:31,14;
5. Andreas Castiglioni (ITA), 45,57 (6), 45,60 (4), 1:31,17;
6. Ferdinand Hirzegger (AUT), 45,74 (9), 45,57 (3), 1:31,31;
7. Florian Breitenberger (ITA), 45,28 (1), 46,15 (9), 1:31,43;
8. Martin Psenner (ITA), 45,68 (7), 45,84 (7), 1:31,52;
9. Alexei Lebedev, (RUS), 45,73 (8), 45,98 (8), 1:31,71;
10. Daniel Quitta, (ITA), 45;79 (10), 46,17 (10), 1:31,96;

World Cup Standings (after three out of six races):

1. Robert Batkowski (AUT) 270
2. Gerald Kallan (AUT) 260
3. Anton Blasbichler (ITA) 175
4. Gerhard Pilz (AUT) 173
5. Florian Breitenberger (ITA) 166
6. Ferdinand Hirzegger (AUT) 141
6. Martin Psenner (ITA) 141
8. Andreas Castiglioni (ITA) 140
9. Roland Kallan (AUT) 134
10. Gerald Kammerlander (AUT) 106
17. Corey Pusey (CAN) 61
21. John Gibson (CAN) 48

Number of Participants: 31

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FIL Media Service