Austria's doubles start into the season with a double victory

Innsbruck (FIL): Double victory for the Austrian doubles at the opening of the EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup: Thomas Steu and Lorenz Koller won ahead of Yannick Müller and Armin Frauscher on their home track in Innsbruck-Igls.

"Today is a great day: Double victory for Austria, this hasn't happened in Igls for a long time", said Steu who was visibly proud. Then he added a little wink in his eyes: "We are happy for the other two, but all the more for us. It was the fifth World Cup success for Steu/Koller.

Both Steu and Koller were a bit unsure before the start of the 2020/2021 season, after all, according to Thomas Steu, they had broken their tibia and calf bone during World Cup training in Sigulda (LAT) in January. They would have worked hard in summer, "but it was not always easy in everyday training with the injury, because I can't do everything yet". Lorenz Koller was also relieved: "It's not only the first World Cup of the season where you don't know exactly where you stand, but last season we had the heavy crash, so I was already very tense. Fortunately, Thomas is very relaxed and cool there". So Steu is all the more satisfied with the first result and the two fastest times. "I didn't think that it would work out so well right away," said the Austrian.

The podium was completed by the German duo Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken. The World champions had drifted violently through the starting corner. "The pilot tried to steer too hard", explained Toni Eggert, "that was a bit over the limit. These are mistakes that happen." Therefore, co-pilot Benecken added: "Of course we still have some homework to do, but at least it is something we can build on. Especially since his start was uncertain for a long time after a crash in which he injured his cervical spine. "I have to thank my physiotherapist Sepp Hornsteiner, who spent several hours working on my neck. He has thus secured today's start," said Benecken.