Altenberg (pps) Since last Sunday, Anastasia Oberstolz-Antonova may be proud of having defeated the invincible German women lugers at least once. The Russian-born Italian won the SUZUKI Challenge Cup in the final against Silke Kraushaar on the 2006 Olympic track at Cesana Pariol, Italy.
Thus Anastasia Oberstolz-Antonova joined the probably smallest circle in sports history. She achieved what only Ukraine’s Natalia Yakushenko accomplished before her last year. They are the only athletes who managed to beat the Germans in the past eight years. In November 2004, Yakushenko became the first non-German to win a race of the SUZUKI Challenge Cup at Sigulda, Latvia. Now Anastasia Oberstolz-Antonova repeated that feat. The Germans remain unbeaten in now 58 competitions in the Viessmann Luge World Cup, however.
“I am shocked,“ was the first reaction of the 24-year-old Italian after her success. But “Nasty” as the wife of doubles specialist Christian Overstolz is called in the Italian team, rejects any suggestions of being a medal favourite for the Olympic Games on the track at Cesana Pariol in three months time. “The Olympics will be a completely different race. You can’t compare that.” The knowledge of having broken the German domination at least once gave her satisfaction. “That’s really important to me. It gives me confidence for the upcoming competitions.” For instance, for the next SUZUKI Challenge Cup next Friday at Altenberg, Germany.