Eighth victory in Oberhof for Felix Loch

Oberhof (RWH) Germany’s Felix Loch is a force to be reckoned with on the Oberhof luge track. The two-time Olympic Champion celebrated his fourth Viessmann World Cup victory of the Olympic winter season. It was the 28-year-old’s eighth win in the men’s singles in the Thuringian Forest. Loch won the first of his five World Championship titles in Oberhof in 2008.

It was the 39th individual World Cup victory for the five-time overall winner of the Viessmann World Cup. Loch beat the track record held by Russia’s Roman Repilov (42.893 seconds) to set a new benchmark of 42.714 seconds.

Second place was taken by Semen Pavlichenko from Russia, ahead of Andi Langenhan (GER).

Felix Loch retains his lead in the overall standings on 671 points ahead of Wolfgang Kindl (AUT), who finished ninth in Oberhof and currently has 568 points, and Russia’s Semen Pavlichenko (521).

Quotes

Felix Loch (GER / 2010 and 2014 Olympic Champion, five-time World Champion):

“Everything has gone smoothly for me in Oberhof since the 2008 World Championships. I have no idea why, but it all just comes together here in Oberhof.”

Semen Pavlichenko (RUS / World Champion 2015, European Champion 2017):

“Felix goes like a rocket here in Oberhof. Even in my junior career I never managed to finish this close to the front here. It gives me confidence for the races to come.”

Andi Langenhan (GER / World Championship silver medallist in 2013, World Championship bronze medallist in 2008 and 2011):

“This might have been my last race in Oberhof. Earlier in my career I always wanted to attack, no question, but now against such strong competition I’m delighted with third.”