Koenigssee (pps) Olympic Champion Felix Loch of Germany started the New Year with an impressive demonstration of power. The four-time World Champion celebrated his third season victory at the sixth stop of the Viessmann Luge World Cup series. Claiming his 16th individual World Cup victory Loch defeated two-time Olympic Champion Armin Zoeggeler of Italy (0.863 seconds behind) to second place. The Italian record World Champion, who celebrated his 40th birthday on Saturday, thus earned th 102nd podium finish of his career. Swiss luger Gregory Carigiet claimed a third place finish, celebrating the best result of his career.

Loch is currently in top position on the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup rankings with 489 points to his credit, followed by Zoeggeler (421 points) and Dominik Fischnaller (Italy / 415 points), who claimed a fourth place finish in Koenigssee.

Quotes

Felix Loch (GER / 2010 Olympic and four-time World Champion)

“I’m absolutely happy about the second victory on my home track. The last time I claimed a top podium finish here in Koenigssee was three years ago. It’s true that today’s winning margin is enormous. But I don’t think that it’ll always be this way.”

Armin Zoeggeler (ITA / 2002 and 2006 Olympic Champion, record World Champion)

“Well, that’s fun ! We’ve worked hard lately and today’s result shows that it was worth all the effort. Right now I’m more optimistic with regard to the upcoming Olympic Games than two months ago.”

Gregory Cariget (SUI / fourth placed at the 2007 Junior World Championships)

“This is the biggest success of my career – there’s no doubt about it.”