Winterberg (pps) The Olympic Champions Andreas Linger-Wolfgang Linger won the Viessmann Luge World Cup event on the luge and bobsleigh track in Winterberg. Two weeks before the 44th World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Whistler (Canada / February 1-2, 2013), the Austrian brothers thus strengthened their claim to successfully defend their title.
European Champions Toni Eggert-Sascha Benecken of Germany claimed the second place, narrowly missing to celebrate their second successive victory. The Italian team of Christian Oberstolz-Patrick Gruber finished in third place.
After seven of nine stops in the Viessmann Luge World Cup series, Tobias Wendl-Tobias Arlt are still leading the overall rankings with 627 points to their credit. In their first run they made a mistake right after the start so that they had to settle for an eighth place, despite having set a track record in the second run. Compatriots Eggert-Benecken are on second place (552 points) ahead of Linger-Linger (441 points).
Former European Champions Peter Penz-Georg Fischler of Austria did not compete in the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Winterberg due to blood pressure problems of Georg Fischler. He already returned home to Innsbruck on Saturday.
The eighth of the nine stops of the Viessmann Luge World Cup will be carried out after the 44th FIL Luge World Championships in Lake Placid in the U.S. state of New York on February 8-9, 2013.
Quotes
Andreas Linger (AUT / 2006 and 2010 Olympic Champion, 2003, 2011 and 2012 World Champion, 2010 European Champion)
“Well, it’s quite a surprise to claim the victory here in Winterberg in our old age... But of course we need to keep in mind that Wendl-Arlt botched their first run. Anyway, we’re on an upswing and we seized the opportunity.”
Toni Eggert (GER / 2012 World silver medalist, 2013 European Champion) “
We showed a really bad performance in the second run. That’s why we aren’t happy about our second place.” Christian Oberstolz (ITA / 2008 European Champion)
“The third place is a good result. But we need to keep in mind that Penz-Fischler didn’t compete and that Wendl-Arlt botched one run. But the result gives us hope with regard to the upcoming World Championships.”
Tobias Wendl (GER / 2012 European silver medalists) “Well, we’ve tinkered a bit today with the World Championships in mind… At least we’ve learned something.”
