Duel Zoeggeler vs Loch in the limelight – Team Relay Event put to the test
Sigulda (pps) The duel of World champion Armin Zoeggeler versus Olympic champion Loch for the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup crown will be in the limelight and the Team Relay Event of the International Luge Federation, FIL, put to the test. Next weekend, with the big final to be staged in Sigulda, Latvia, all eyes will be on the now 37-year old Italian luger and his German opponent, 16 years his junior, as they will battle it out for the overall World Cup title in the men’s singles.
The situation could not be any more clear cut: Zoeggeler, two-time Olympic and six-time World champion can clinch the overall World Cup for the tenth successive time – provided he claims at least a podium finish on Saturday (February 19, 2011 / start at 12:15 hrs local time/11:15 hrs CET). On the other hand 2010 Olympic champion Felix Loch, decorated with two World Championship medals, has to hope for a mistake of his greatest opponent. “Well, I would be very, very happy indeed, to conclude the season on second place”, explained Loch. With at total of 630 points to his credit Loch is 35 points behind his long-time rival from South Tyrol (665 points).
Should Zoeggeler indeed celebrate his tenth overall World Cup victory, he would thus draw level with the so far sole record-winner Markus Prock of Austria. For Loch it would be the first success in the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup rankings.
In contrast, Olympic champion Tatjana Huefner of Germany has already secured her fourth “Joska” Cup that is awarded for the overall World Cup victory. The 27-year old, with 745 points to her credit so far, accomplished the so far unique feat in the history of the International Luge Federation, FIL, to celebrate four successive overall World Cup victories (2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011). Germany’s three-time World champion thus drew level with compatriot Sylke Otto. Record-winner, however, remains Silke Kraushaar-Pielach of Germany with a total of five overall World Cup victories.
In the doubles‘ the dice is already cast, too. With a total of 700 points and an advantage of 108 points Germany’s Tobias Wendl-Tobias Arlt cannot be replaced any more at the top of the overall rankings. “This is our season’s absolute highlight”, said “pilot” Wendl. At the World Championships Wendl-Arlt went away empty handed after a crash in the first run. Austria’s Andreas Linger-Wolfgang Linger (592 points) hold second position while Italy’s Christian Oberstolz-Patrick Gruber (586) are on third place.
The Team Relay Event of the Viessmann Luge World Cup presented by Money Service Group is already decided as well – with Germany as the overall winner. After technical problems occurred at the World Championships in Cesana and the Team Relay event had to be aborted, the FIL soft and hardware developer now promises a smooth running of the season’s last event. After all, the President of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, Jacques Rogge of Belgium has announced his visit. During his visit to Latvia’s national federation the “Lord of the Rings” will make a detour on Sunday to closely watch the Team Relay Event that hopes to be included within the Olympic Winter Sports program.
