Oberhof (pps) The top in the Viessmann Luge World Cup is as broad as never before in this pre-Olympic winter. Prior to the fifth event at Oberhof, Germany, on January 1- 2, 2005 there is a difference of just seven points between first and third place in the men’s event, and just five points between first and second place in the women’s competition. And in the doubles’ rankings there are no fewer than six doubles at the top ot the rankings within a 100-point difference.
Russia’s Albert Demchenko is leading with 279 points after four of altogether nine events in the men’s competition. He is followed closely by Austria’s Markus Kleinheinz (276) and Germany’s reigning World champion David Moeller and US American Tony Benshoof, who share third position with 272 points each. Even Italy’s Olympic and European champion Armin Zoeggeler, so far still without a victory this season, may still hope to defend his World Cup title successfully with 245 points. Oberhof local Jan Eichhorn, currently in sixth position with 174 points, would like to make the most of his home-advantage and close the gap to the top lugers.
Germany’s Barbara Niedernhuber is wearing the “Yellow Shirt” of the World Cup leader for the first time in her career. But the Olympic silver medallist’s advantage of just five points (306) towards runner-up, World and European champion Silke Kraushaar (301) is very small. Italy’s Anastasia Antonova-Oberstolz (245) hold third position followed by Germany’s Anke Wischnewski (210) who will not compete at Oberhof. She will be replaced by European silver medallist Tatjana Huefner. Germany’s 2002 Olympic champion Sylke Otto has only a small chance of defending her World Cup title successfully. She is currently in sixth place.

As in the past years, the suspense is greatest in the doubles’ event. The Italian leaders, Christian Oberstolz-Patrick Gruber (315 points) and the sixth-placed Austrians Tobias Schiegl-Markus Schiegl (215) are separated by exactly 100 points. In between are Germany’s Sebastian Schmidt-André Forker (290), the American Olympic silver medallists Mark Grimmette-Brian Martin (272), Austria’s former World champions Andreas Linger-Wolfgang Linger (247), and Germany’s André Florschuetz- Torsten Wustlich (240).

The so-called “traffic light start” should bring additional excitement which will make its world première in the team event. Eleven teams will possibly compete.