In the fourth race of the saison it was the third win for the Polish double Andrzej Laszczak/Damian Waniczek. “They are racing in their own league, but we are coming closer and closer”, says Herbert Kögl, even though he and Reinhard Beer finished only sixth in today´s race. But in fact the Austrians were the only ones who shared a time under 1:10,00 with the Polish double. “We had a big mistake in the first run, so we had no chance today and with that result also lost all chances for the overall World Cup”, says Kögl. The Russian double Pawel Porschnev/Ivan Lazarev, the only ones who managed to beat the Polish once in this season, finished second, but with a time gap of more than one second. Third were the almost forgotten rookies of 2000/01 when they won everything there was, Andreas and Wolfgang Schopf. “We had a lot of problems with our sledge at the beginning of the winter and due to the warm weather no training facilities, but now we have worked it out,” explains Wolfgang Schopf.
In the women´s race Christa Gietl (ITA) celebrated her first World Cup victory after almost three years. “I dedicate this victory to my sister Renate. She has won here last year, but had to stay sick at home this year.” Sonja Steinacher (ITA), second today and Ekaterina Lavrentjeva (RUS/5.) are fighting a close competition in the overall World Cup. Only ten points are between them. But none of them did the best run today. It was Barbara Abart (ITA). She ranked only tenth, but due to bad luck in her first run. “I got a stone in my runners and it happend quite soon after the start, so I had no more chances in the race.” A much happier face could be seen in the Austrian Team: Elvira Holzknecht celebrated her second third place in a row. After here long injury caused break and still handicapped with a tendon injury on her hand, she is slowly coming back to her old form and ready for the World Championship. “After all I went through, I am really looking forward to the World Championships and my big goal is to win a medal there.”
Most nations will go straight to Kindberg in Styria, where the next race will be held. After Unterammergau (GER) had to be cancelled because of the weather conditions, Kindberg in Austria jumped in and is ready for the RED BULL World Cup race on Wednesday and Thursday.
Final Results:
Women´s singles:
1. Christa Gietl (ITA), 1:06,66 (1), 1:06,73 (2), 2:13,39;
2. Sonja Steinacher (ITA), 1:07,03 (2), 1:06,90 (3), 2:13,93;
3. Elvira Holzknecht (AUT), 1:07,04 (3), 1:07,72 (8), 2:14,76;
4. Sabine Kogler (AUT), 1:07,25 (4), 1:07,59 (7), 2:14,84;
5. Ekatarina Lavrentjeva (RUS), 1:07,72 (6), 1:07,15 (4), 2:14,87;
6. Sandra Mariner (AUT), 1:07,73 (7), 107,44 (5), 2:15,17;
7. Julia Vetlova (RUS), 1:07,58 (5), 1:08,10 (10), 2:15,68;
8. Marlies Wagner (AUT), 1:08,02 (8), 1:07,91 (9), 2:15,93;
9. Irene Mitterstieler (ITA), 1:08,61 (10), 1:07,55 (6), 2:16,16;
10. Barbara Abart (ITA), 1:09,90 (13), 1:06,53 (1), 2:16,43;
11. Ewelina Zurek (POL), 1:08,54 (9), 1:08,80 (12), 2:17,34;
12. Michaela Maurer (GER), 1:09,25 (11), 1:08,28 (11), 2:17,53;
Men´s Doubleseaters:
1. Andrzej Laszczak/Damian Waniczek (POL), 1:10.10 (1), 1:09,55 (1), 2:19,65;
2. Pawel Porschnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS), 1:10,58 (3), 1:10,68 (4), 2:21,26;
3. Andreas Schopf/Wolfgang Schopf (AUT), 1:10,91 (4), 1:10,38 (3), 2:21,29;
4. Harald Kleinhofer/Gerhard Mühlbacher (AUT), 1:10,56 (2), 1:10,97 (5), 2:21,53;
5. Martin Graf/Harald Laimer (ITA), 1:11,34 (5), 1:11,12 (6), 2:22,46;
6. Reinhard Beer/Herbert Kögl (AUT), 1:12,82 (8), 1:09,89 (2), 2:22,71;
7. Armin Mair/Johannes Hofer (ITA), 1:11,41 (6), 1:11,37 (7), 2:22,78;
8. Günther Innerbichler/Alex Innerbichler (ITA), 1:12,06 (7), 1:12,08 (8), 2:24, 14;
9. Björn Kierspel/Hansjörg Mühlbacher (GER), 1:13,90 (9), 1:12,77 (9), 2:26,67;
10. Andrzej Tyrna/Tomasz Kowalczyk (POL), 1:13,95 (10), 1:13,70 (10), 2:27,65;
11. Bostjan Vizjak/Borut Kralj (SLO), 1:14,48 (11), 1:13,87 (11), 2:28,35;
12. Jasmin Prnjavorac/Kenan Suljagic (BIH), 1:24,91 (12), 1:20,14 (12), 2:45,05;
World Cup Standings (4/6):
Women:
1. Ekaterina Lavrentjeva (RUS) 305
2. Sonja Steinacher (ITA) 295
3. Christa Gietl (ITA) 227
4. Elvira Holzknecht (AUT) 218
5. Barbara Abart (ITA) 206
6. Renate Gietl (ITA) 199
7. Sabine Kogler (AUT) 197
8. Sandra Mariner (AUT) 189
9. Marlies Wagner (AUT) 184
10. Julia Vetlova (RUS) 171
Double Seaters:
1. Andrzej Laszczak/Damian Waniczek (POL) 385
2. Pawel Porschnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS) 325
3. Reinhard Beer/Herbert Kögl (AUT) 275
4. Wolfgang Schopf/Andreas Schopf (AUT) 225
5. Harald Kleinhofer/Gerhard Mühlbacher (AUT) 205
6. Martin Graf/Harald Laimer (ITA) 203
7. Björn Kierspel/Hansjörg Mühlbacher (GER) 153
8. Günther Innerbichler/Alex Innerbichler (ITA) 148
ck
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