Gerhard Pilz (AUT) was able to break his career’s ban and won his first title at European Championships. The 36-year-old Upper Austrian led after two runs and dominated in the third and final run, too. Moreover, he achieved the best track time at the 955-metres-course in Frantschach (AUT). “The victory at the European Championships is nice but difficult. You have to show the best performance on one special day”, stated Gerhard Pilz happily. After two triumphs in overall World Cup, five titles at World Championships and today’s victory the routinier from Bad Goisern is the greatest of all natural track luge.

Four Austrians placed after Gerhard Pilz. Robert Batkowski (AUT) and Gernot Schwab (AUT) achieved the places two and three. “I hoped for the best because I like the track in Frantschach. This third place is my best career result”, told the 23-year-old shooting star Gernot Schwab from Styria. Gerald Kallan (AUT) achieved after a poor third run finally fifth place. “I touched the boards in the lower part of the track and lost too much time to reach the top”, said Gerald Kallan depressed.

“It is like a dream”, cheered the 18-year-old Sandra Lanthaler (ITA) and could not believe her victory at the European Championships in women’s singleseater. The waitress from Italy placed before Ekaterina Lavrentjeva (RUS) and this year’s World Cup dominator Sonja Steinacher (ITA). “I could not realize the title up to now”, stated Lanthaler who never participated in natural track luge World Cup. Although, Sandra Mariner (AUT) had a good final run she achieved only fifth place. “Because of the weather the track was different day by day. I expected a better position at the European Championships”, told Sandra Mariner unhappy.