Oberhof (pps) For the second time after 2008, Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger took the European Championship title. The 2010 Olympic bronze medalist celebrated her fourth season victory at the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Oberhof and thus secured her second gold medal at the 44th European Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL), that were carried out within the World Cup. Geisenberger won her first gold in Cesana, Italy, five years ago.
Celebrating her 14th career victory, the 2012 World bronze medalist defeated teammates Tatjana Huefner, who made a successful new start following her “break” at the Koenigssee event due to injury, and Anke Wischnewsi to second and third place, respectively. The second-place finish is the so far best result this season for 2010 Olympic and four-time World Champion Huefner. However, she is still waiting to earn her first European Championship title.
Right behind beginner Dajana Eitberger (GER) Canadian Alex Gough and Julia Clukey (USA) posted a fifth and sixth place, respectively. Defending Champion Tatiana Ivanova of Russia had to make do with an 11th-place finish in the Viessman World Cup.
Geisenberger is currently leading the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup rankings with 570 points to her credit, ahead of Wischnewski (440) and Huefner (345).
Next weekend (January 19-20, 2013) the seventh stop of the Viessmann Luge World Cup series will be carried out on the artificially refrigerated track in Winterberg (GER).
Quotes
Natalie Geisenberger (GER / 2010 Olympic and 2012 World bronze medalist, 2008 and 2013 European Champion) “This is my season! However, I had a crash in a training run and then I knew it wouldn’t be easy today. Thank God, our physiotherapist got me back on track.”
Tatjana Huefner (GER / Olympic and four-time World Champion) “I’m happy with my performance after the break. Again a silver medal – it’s my fourth European silver medal already…”
Anke Wischnewski (GER / 2007 World silver and 2013 European bronze medalist) “I’m happy with the result. My second run was better than the first.”
