Winterberg (pps) First World Cup victory at his first World Cup event: Chris Eißler of Germany defeated the international luge elite when he competed for the first time in the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Winterberg.

Due to adverse weather conditions the men’s singles event on the bobsleigh and luge track in Winterberg Hochsauerland was cancelled and later restarted with only one World Cup run. And it was the 20-year-old luge talent, 12th starter out of 32 participants, who found the perfect racing line to then defeat two-time Olympic Champion Armin Zoeggeler of Italy (0.044 seconds behind) to second place. The record World Champion with six titles to his credit thus claimed his 100th podium finish in the Viessmann Luge World Cup. At age 19, the luger from South Tyrol earned his first World Cup podium finish in Sigulda in 1992.

Two-time World Champion David Moeller of Germany claimed a third place result (0.056 seconds behind).

After three of nine World Cup events, Moeller is currently heading the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup rankings with 240 points to his credit, ahead of Olympic Champion Felix Loch (GER / 230) who claimed a fourth place result in Winterberg, and Dominik Fischnaller of Italy (225), fifth in Winterberg.

Quotes

Chris Eißler (GER)

“I still can’t believe it. Of course it’s also due to the fact that I was among the first starters on the track. And then the weather conditions also played a role. But anyway, I still have problems to really understand it. I don’t think about the Olympic Games at all.”

Armin Zoeggeler (ITA / 2002 and 2006 Olympic Champion, six World Championship titles)

“A compliment to those responsible - cancelling the race in the first run was the right decision. I’m absolutely happy that I’ve finally claimed my 100th podium finish. Obviously, I’m on an upward trend at the moment.”

David Moeller (GER / 2010 Olympic silver medalist, two-time World Champion)

“With a bit more luck I could have claimed the victory here today. But everything’s fine as it is - it’s not always that you are travelling to the overseas events as the World Cup leader…”