Austria’s first team relay win tinged with European Championship gold

Lillehammer (RWH) Austria’s lugers have never before tasted victory in the Viessmann Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW – and now their first win is tinged with European Championship gold. The Austrian line-up of Madeleine Egle, David Gleirscher and Thomas Steu/Lorenz Koller clinched the title at the 51st European Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Lillehammer, Norway, simultaneously celebrating their first ever victory in the team relay, which has been a feature of the World Cup since 2010.

European silver went to defending champions Italy with Andrea Vötter, Dominik Fischnaller and Ivan Nagler/Fabian Malleier. The Latvian quartet of Ulla Zirne, Kristers Aparjods and Andris Sics/Juris Sics claimed bronze. Germany’s Julia Taubitz, Johannes Ludwig and Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt finished fourth.

After three of six events in the Viessmann Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW, Italy are still at the top of the overall standings on 255 points, having claimed victory in the season opener in Innsbruck. Austria (245) has now moved up to second place, with the German team in third on 215 points.