Last German victory in the men's singles already eight years ago

Koenigssee (pps) Germany's Patric Leitner-Alexander Resch have always been a power to be reckoned with at the Viessmann Luge World Cup events in Koenigssee. Since the 2001-02 season, the 2002 Olympic and four-time World champions, currently on second position on the overall rankings (300 points) behind compatriots André Florschuetz-Torsten Wustlich (325) have so far been undefeated on their home-track. This is the reason why the two "Kings of the Koenigssee" refer to the upcoming event at home next weekend (January 2-3, 2010) as their "emotional highlight".

"This will be our last World Cup event on our home track in Koenigssee", they disclosed on their homepage. It is already a settled matter that they will end their active career at the end of the season. "We are certain that the race on January 2 will be a very special one for us and - apart from the Olympic Games - the absolute highlight of our season." And after two sixth places this season the World Cup event back home seems to come just at the right time for Leitner-Resch.

Italy's Armin Zoeggeler, who will celebrate his 36th birthday on Monday, January 4, 2010, is also looking forward to the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Koenigssee. The defending champion, already with a comfortable 80-points lead in the overall rankings, had to make do with two second places in Altenberg, Germany, and Lillehammer, Norway. But in the past, he claimed the top step of the Koenigssee podium seven times already. On the other hand, Russia's Albert Demchenko, who took the victory in Lillehammer, should not be dismissed easily either since he also claimed three first places (2004-05, 2006-07 and 2007-08) at the foot of the Watzmann mountain.

But it is already a long time ago that German men were able to celebrate a success in Koenigssee - the last to earn a victory was Georg Hackl on December 13, 2001. If any, there is two-time World champion Felix Loch who might follow in Hackl's footsteps. Loch won his first World Cup event in Altenberg and currently holds second position on the overall ranking, boasting 290 points.

In the women's singles US luger and World champion Erin Hamlin failed to celebrate her first World Cup success in Lillehammer by a mere 37 thousandth of a second. However, an end of the winning streak of Germany's women lugers is not to be expected at the World Cup in Koenigssee, where Austria's Andrea Tagwerker earned the last non-German victory on November 29, 1997. Since that day, this series has continued unbroken. Andrea Tagwerker, by the way, is trying to see the positive side of the monotony in the women's singles: "As long as this winning streak of Germany's women is going on I won't be forgotten."

For the sake of accuracy it needs to be mentioned that all three German women - Tatjana Huefner (385 points), Natalie Geisenberger (355) and Anke Wischnewski (265) - are currently leading the overall rankings. US luger Erin Hamlin is on fourth place (210).

Huefner, Zoeggeler and Leitner-Resch last year's winners in Koenigssee

Koenigssee (pps) Since the 2001-2002 season the winners in the double-seater event of the Viessmann Luge World Cup have always been Patric Leitner-Alexander Resch of Germany. In the men's singles Armin Zoeggeler of Italy claimed the title on his 35th birthday last year and Germany's Tatjana Huefner took the top spot on the podium in the women's singles.

Schedule in Koenigssee

Koenigssee (pps) "Ladies first" - The 2010 luge year will be launched with the decision in the women's singles on January 2 (start at 10:40 hrs), followed by the double-seater events as of 13:00 hrs. On Sunday, the men's singles will be carried out as of 09:45 hrs, followed by the Tiscover Team Relay as of 13:05 hrs.

Saturday, January 2, 2010:
10:40 hrs: women's singles
13:00 hrs: double-seater

Sunday, January 3, 2010:
09:45 hrs: men's singles
13.05 hrs: Tiscover Team Relay