Paramonovo (pps) While Tatiana Ivanova of Russia successfully defended her title at the 43rd European Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL), Germany’s Olympic Champion Tatjana Huefner claimed her fifth consecutive overall Viessmann Luge World Cup victory.
As World silver medallist Ivanova earned her second European gold medal only nine days after her 21st birthday, four-time World Champion Huefner achieved - thanks to her second place - to catch up with record-winner and compatriot Silke Kraushaar-Pielach who, in her active career, also earned five “Joska” Crystal Cups, the award for the overall World Cup winner.
Behind Ivanova, who is called “Chokolakova” due to her fondness for sweets and chocolate, and Huefner it is Germany’s Corinna Martini who claimed the European bronze medal. Alex Gough of Canada, who put an end to the winning series of Germany’s women lugers after 105 consecutive victories last year, is ranked fifth in the overall World Cup rankings behind Natalie Geisenberger (Germany) on fourth place.
After nine Viessmann Luge World Cup events Huefner has a total of 761 points to her credit, 51 points ahead of Geisenberger who is ranked second.
There is not much that now separates Huefner, decorated with the 2010 Olympic gold medal in Vancouver, the 2006 Olympic bronze medal as well as four World Championship titles and five overall World Cup victories, from Sylke Otto (Germany), considered the most successful women luger of all times with two Olympic victories, four World Championship gold medals and four overall World Cup victories to her credit. On the ranking list, Huefner has already passed Silke Kraushaar-Pielach (1998 Olympic Champion, 2004 World Champion and five-time overall World Cup winner).
Quotes
Tatiana Ivanova
(RUS / 2010 and 2012 European Champion, 2012 World silver medalist, 4th at the Olympic Games)
“The track was very good, the spectators were fantastic and I’m absolutely happy. I’ve already received far too much chocolate.”
Tatjana Huefner (GER / 2010 Olympic Champion, four-time World Champion, fife-time overall Viessmann Luge World Cup Champion)
“The pleasure of having earned the overall World Cup victory predominates. Well, I’ve to admit that I was a bit nervous going into the race. There are only nine World Cup races and that’s why you cannot afford to make many mistakes. The track here is not really among the most modern tracks. And bearing the safety aspects in mind the track is not wholly convincing. Every now and then there’s a kind of ping-pong effect.”
Corinna Martini
(GER / 2012 European bronze medalist, 2010 European runner-up)
“That was a perfect end of this season, especially bearing in mind that due to my back injury I did not compete at all last winter.”
