Eggert/Benecken defend title successfully

Winterberg (RWH) Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken of Germany have successfully defended their World Championship title. The pair, who won Olympic bronze in PyeongChang, took their second doubles gold at the 48th World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Winterberg, following their previous success in 2017. Eggert/Benecken were in second place behind their teammates Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt after the first heat, but the latter made a mistake on their second run. Bronze went to the Austrians Thomas Steu/Lorenz Koller.

If Wendl/Arlt had taken victory, they would have become the most successful World Championship competitors in doubles. That title is still held by Patric Leitner/Alexander Resch (GER), who won four golds in addition to one silver and one bronze medal. Wendl/Arlt have previously won three gold and three silver medals at the FIL World Championships. 

Quotes

Toni Eggert (GER / 2017 World Champion, 2018 Olympic bronze medallist, Sprint World Champion 2019)

“We’ve learned our lesson. We responded incorrectly to the change in the weather in PyeongChang a year ago. This time it was minus eight degrees in training and 1.5 degrees in the race. We got the setup right this time.”

Tobias Arlt (GER / three-time World Chamionand olýmpic Champonin doubles 2014 and 2018)  

“We made a mistake that cost us the win. But the others were better this time and deserved the victory. Silver is also nice

Thomas Steu (AUT / bronze medallist in the 2019 Sprint World Championship)

“We’ve joined the world elite but we need to improve our start to get right to the top. After our mistake in the second race heat I wasn’t sure if we’d be in with a chance of a medal or not. I’m happy that we won bronze.”