54th World Cup victory: Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt draw level with Toni Eggert

Sigulda (FIL/04 Jan 2025) The stage was set for a Latvian festival at the EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup. Numerous spectators made their way to the ice track in Sigulda in glorious winter weather. Local heroes Martins Bots and Roberts Plume wanted to take advantage of their home advantage. But a mistake in the first run, in which they only achieved the third-best time of 41.728 seconds, cost them the home victory. They finished 0.101 seconds behind the six-time Olympic champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt. It was the 54th World Cup victory for the German double. They are now level with their compatriot Toni Eggert.

“Martins and Roberts made a mistake in the first run, which gave us a lead,” said Wendl. And Arlt added: ‘Martins and Roberts stepped on the gas again in the second run, but we were able to counter with the best time.’ The run times of 41.652 and 41.393 seconds added up to 1:23.045 minutes. “We found the right setup and delivered two clean runs,” explained Arlt. Third place went to Austrians Yannick Müller/Armin Frauscher, 0.292 seconds behind, ahead of their teammates Thomas Steu/Wolfgang Kindl (0.442) and Toni Eggert and his new partner Florian Müller (0.461).

At least Bots/Plume's mishap did not have a major impact on the overall World Cup standings. The Latvians remain in the lead with 316 points, ahead of Eggert/Müller (295) and Wendl/Arlt (290).

In the women's event, four athletes were smiling. Austrians Selina Egle and Lara Kipp were celebrating their tenth World Cup victory. Their total time: 1:24.483 minutes. And second-placed Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby were also smiling despite being 0.116 seconds behind. The US team improved the track record to 42.106 seconds. The old record (42.271) had been held by Jessica Degenhardt/Cheyenne Rosenthal (Germany). “Wow, track record,” cheered underwoman Kirkby, admitting: “Sigulda is so difficult to drive. The track shows you whether you are suited to this sport.” The US doubles team is. Just like Egle/Kipp. The Austrians have had their difficulties with the ice track in Latvia in the past. “Two years ago we didn't even make it to the finish line and now we're winning here, it's just incredible.” And her teammate Kipp added: “When small mistakes happen, you have to stay cool. In any case, your heart always beats faster.”

Marta Robzniece and Kitija Bogdanova made too many mistakes on their home track. Especially in the second run, in which they only managed the fifth-fastest time (42.486). That's why they fell back from second place to third, 0.411 seconds behind. Fourth place went to the Italians Andrea Vötter/Marion Oberhofer (0.453 sec. back) ahead of Anda Upite/Zane Kaluma (0.743) and Degenhardt/Rosenthal. A mistake in the first run was responsible for the large gap of 0.862 seconds. “We turned quite a bit out of turn 15, which cost us time,” explained Degenhardt.