At the halfway point, US team has already had its most successful season to date

Relief for Geisenberger and Loch

Calgary (RWH)  Judging by her cheers, it sounded like she had won an Olympic gold medal. Rarely before had Natalie Geisenberger given such free rein to her feelings than when she sealed victory at the Viessmann World Cup in Calgary, Canada. She was under considerable pressure and had the weight of expectation on her shoulders after four races without a win, just a single podium finish to her name in second at the season opener in Innsbruck, and three tough defeats against US women Erin Hamlin and Summer Britcher on their home tracks. “To be honest, I’m relieved,” the serial winner of recent years said after the race, beaming with joy.

There were also smiling faces in the US camp, where the team was already celebrating its most successful season ever at the halfway point. US lugers clinched 13 podium finishes in 1996/1997 and 2014/2015, their best ever seasons. This winter they already have 15 podium positions to their name, with no fewer than seven wins, including victory in the Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW in Lake Placid. The other victories went to Summer Britcher, who won twice in Park City and clinched the BMW Sprint World Cup in Calgary, Erin Hamlin who won in Lake Placid, and Chris Mazdzer who took wins on his home tracks in Lake Placid and Park City.

As a result, Summer Britcher (495 points) and Erin Hamlin (431) lie first and second respectively in the overall standings of the Viessmann World Cup, the first time that two American women have led the classification in the 38-year history of the race series. Austria has had to wait 11 years to see an Austrian luger back at the top of the overall standings. Wolfgang Kindl (Photo right) has followed in the footsteps of Markus Kleinheinz, who won the Viessmann World Cup in winter 2002/2003 and briefly led the overall classification again 11 years ago. “I started the season well, and things have just kept going,” said Kindl. “Confidence brings form, and form breeds success.”

Felix Loch had been somewhat lacking in form and results following his disqualification in Innsbruck, a mistake in Lake Placid when victory was within reach, and two third-place finishes in Park City. The high-speed track in Calgary brought two victories for the two-time Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion, along with a realization: “I made some mistakes, but thankfully I know where.”

The German doubles pairings have got everything right so far, even if their winning streak of 15 consecutive victories came to an end at the hands of Italian pairing of Christian Oberstolz/Patrick Gruber at the BMW Sprint World Cup in Park City. Aside from that, defending champions Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken have been involved in the anticipated ongoing battle with Olympic Champions and two-time World Champions Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt. Eggert/Benecken are currently leading by three victories to two.