Eggert/Benecken put an end to Wendl/Arlt winning streak
Königssee (RWH) The World Champions have dethroned the Olympic Champions. Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken have ended the winning streak of Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt at the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Königssee. The 2014 and 2018 doubles Olympic Champions suffered their first defeat since 2010 on their home track. In addition to nine victories in the Viessmann Luge World Cup, the duo had also clinched the Sprint World Championship and the World Championship title in the Olympic discipline.
Eggert/Benecken paved the way for their success in the first heat, when they were 0.313 seconds faster than Wendl/Arlt in heavy snow. The track was swept after every fifth sled due to the snowfall. Wendl/Arlt set the fastest time on the second run but remained 0.306 seconds behind Eggert/Benecken. Third place went to the Austrian duo Thomas Steuer/Lorenz Koller.
Robin Geueke/David Gamm (GER), who were third after the first heat, ended up fifth behind Latvia’s Andris Sics/Juris Sics.
Eggert/Benecken (625) retain their lead of the overall World Cup ahead of Wendl/Arlt and Steu/Koller, who are tied on 516 points apiece.
Quotes
Toni Eggert (GER / 2017 World Champion, 2018 Olympic bronze medallist)
“I must admit we got lucky with the sweeping pattern on our first run. But we were also mega-strong in these conditions. We’d never won in Königssee before. I think we’ve now taken at least one win on all tracks we’ve competed at, apart from Sochi.”
Tobias Wendl (GER / Olympic Champion 2014 and 2018, triple World Champion)
“This defeat doesn’t hurt. It was a very long winning streak, but they always come to an end at some point. We also had bad luck with the weather this time round. The second run showed that we could have beaten Eggert/Benecken. But this is an outdoor sport. It goes with the territory.”
Thomas Steu (AUT / Olympic fourth)
“A podium finish on a German track is always a special event. The track workers have done a fantastic job. Our consistently good results are due to our efforts in the summer and in recent weeks.”
