Hirzegger, Steinacher und Mair-Brothers win Parallel Event
Ferdinand Hirzegger (AUT) gave a demonstation of his skills in the first official Parallel Event in the World Cup. He also had won the test event last year in Völs. “Yes, it seems like this kind of event fits me very well, “ the Styrian athlete says. But also adds: “It has been very exhausting as it demands a lot. There are so many runs and you have to switch from one track to the other each time. So it is also mentally very challenging.” A few technical problems were caused by the starting machine and one victim was Gerhard Pilz (AUT). In his first run he did not hear the signal for the start, in his second run he started too early. So he was out against Anton Blasbichler (ITA), but nevertheless maintained his lead in the Overall World Cup.
Sonja Steinacher leaves Liechtenstein and the not very much liked Parallel Event with the maximum of 300 points. The races, three victories. But she is still careful, when talking about the whole season: “Last year I lost the World Cup in the very last race, so it is just good that I scored that much so far.” Elvira Holzknecht ended up on the fourth place which is the best result since her comeback after the one year´s injury break. It will be just a matter of time until she is back in the World Class.
Also in the Doubleseaters event there were no new winners: the brothers Armin and David Mair celebrated their second victory in a row, but had strong competition in the final with the young Austrians Harald Kleinhofer and Gerhard Mühlbacher.
The Natural Track Luge World Cup will have its Christmas break now and will be continued in Umhausen (AUT) on Januray 11th to 13th.
Results:
Quarter Final Women:
Sandra MARINER (AUT) – Julia VETLOVA (RUS) Time Difference: 1,63
Ekaterina LAVRENTJEVA (RUS) – Irene MITTERSTIELER (ITA), 0,85
Sonja STEINACHER (ITA) – Sabine KOGLER (AUT), 2,27
Renate GIETL (ITA) – Elvira HOLZKNECHT (AUT), 0,20
Semifinal:
Sandra MARINER (AUT) – Ekaterina LAVRENTJEVA (RUS), 0,05
Sonja STEINACHER (ITA) – Elvira HOLZKNECHT (AUT), 0,35
Run for Rank three:
Ekaterina LAVRENTJEVA (RUS) – Elvira HOLZKNECHT (AUT), 0,32
Final:
Sandra MARINER (AUT) – Sonja STEINACHER (ITA), 0,59
Quarter Final Men Singleseater:
Gerald KALLAN (AUT) – Roland KALLAN (AUT), 0,39
Marcus GRAUSAM (GER) - Robert BATKOWSKI (AUT), 1,03
Ferdinand HIRZEGGER (AUT) - Gernot SCHWAB (AUT), 0,39
Anton BLASBICHLER (ITA) - Gerhard PILZ (AUT), 2,27
Semifinal:
Roland KALLAN (AUT) – Robert BATKOWSKI (AUT), 0,91
Ferdinand HIRZEGGER (AUT) – Anton BLASBICHLER (ITA), 1,46
Run for Rank three:
Roland KALLAN (AUT) – Anton BLASBICHLER (ITA), 0,60
Final:
Robert BATKOWSKI (AUT) – Ferdinand HIRZEGGER (AUT), 0,99
Semifinal Doubleseaters:
Armin MAIR/David MAIR (ITA) – Reinhard BEER/Herbert Kögl (AUT), 0,16
Harald KLEINHOFER/Gerhard Mühlbacher (AUT) - Andrzej LASZCZAK/Damian WANICZEK (POL), 0,04
Run for Rank three:
Reinhard BEER/Herbert Kögl (AUT) - Andrzej LASZCZAK/Damian WANICZEK (POL),
Final:
Armin MAIR/David MAIR (ITA) - Harald KLEINHOFER/Gerhard Mühlbacher (AUT)
Final Results:
Women Singleseater:
1. Sonja STEINACHER (ITA)
2. Sandra MARINER (AUT)
3. Ekaterina LAVRENTJEVA (RUS)
4. Elvira HOLZKNECHT (AUT)
5. Renate GIETL (ITA)
6. Irene MITTERSTIELER (ITA)
7. Sabine KOGLER (AUT)
8. Julia VETLOVA (RUS)
Men Singleseater:
1. Ferdinand HIRZEGGER (AUT)
2. Robert BATKOWSKI (AUT)
3. Anton BLASBICHLER (ITA)
4. Roland KALLAN (AUT)
5. Gerald KALLAN (AUT)
6. Gerhard PILZ (AUT)
7. Marcus GRAUSAM (GER)
8. Gernot SCHWAB (AUT)
9. Damian WANICZEK (POL)
10. Daniele PIEILLER (ITA)
11. Daniel QUITTA (ITA)
12. Grega SPENDOV (SLO)
Men Doulbeseaters:
1. Armin MAIR/David MAIR (ITA)
2. Harald KLEINHOFER/Gerhard MÜHLBACHER (AUT)
3. Andrzej LASZCZAK/Damian WANICZEK (POL)
4. Reinhard BEER/Herbert KÖGL (AUT)
5. Andreas SCHOPF/Wolfgang SCHOPF (AUT)
6. Eddy PERRIN/Emanuele GIANNELLI (ITA)
World Cup Rankings:
Women Singleseater:
1. Sonja STEINACHER (ITA) 300 points
2. Ekaterina LAVRENTJEVA (RUS) 240
3. Sandra MARINER (AUT) 210
4. Christa GIETL (ITA) 169
5. Renate GIETL (ITA) 160
6. Elvira HOLZKNECHT (AUT) 152
7. Julia VETLOVA (RUS) 126
8. Irene MITTERSTIELER (ITA) 110
Men Singleseater:
1. Gerhard PILZ (AUT) 250 points
2. Ferdinand HIRZEGGER (AUT) 230
3. Anton BLASBICHLER (ITA) 201
4. Gerald KALLAN (AUT) 186
5. Robert BATKOWSKI (AUT) 176
6. Gernot SCHWAB (AUT) 167
7. Roland KALLAN (AUT) 131
8. Florian BREITENBERGER (ITA) 123
Men Doubleseater:
1. Armin MAIR/David MAIR (ITA) 255 points
1. Andrzej LASZCZAK/Damian WANICZEK (POL) 255
3. Harald KLEINHOFER/Gerhard MÜHLBACHER (AUT) 225
4. Wolfgang SCHOPF/Andreas SCHOPF (AUT) 156
5. Reinhard BEER/Herbert KÖGL (AUT) 145
6. Eddy PERRIN/Emanuele GIANNELLI (ITA) 120
