Cesana-Pariol (pps) Already prior to the first run in the women’s single on Saturday (January 12, 2008 as of 08:00 hrs) it seems to be a foregone conclusion that the German national anthem will be played at the victory ceremony. But one question remains: who will be on the top step of the podium.

After five of the so far six events in the Viessmann Luge World Cup the top medal favourites are first and foremost World champion Tatjana Huefner - after four consecutive victories she is currently wearing the “yellow bib” of the World Cup leader - Silke Kraushaar-Pielach in her last season and multiple World junior champion Natalie Geisenberger. “Winning streak versus experience versus being carefree” – this characterises the duel of the three lugers for the gold, silver and bronze medal. The fourth German athlete Anke Wischnewski made the podium only because Tatjana Huefner had a bad run in Lake Placid and Natalie Geisenberger in Winterberg.

„I’m in great shape right now. I feel fresh and fit”, explained Tatjana Huefner. “I’ve won all there is to win. I don’t have to prove myself any more”, countered Silke Kraushaar-Pielach. Natalie Geisenberger, who failed to achieve her first World Cup victory in Koenigssee and Calgary after best times in the first run, challenged: “We all have to start from scratch at the Europeans and Worlds.”