Königssee (RWH) Natalie Geisenberger of Germany has started the new luge year with a victory in the Viessmann World Cup on the Königssee artificial track, which will host the World Championships organised by the International Luge Federation (FIL) next winter. This is the Olympic and World Champion’s fifth victory in the post-Olympic season. In her 28th win in a Viessmann World Cup, the 26-year-old defending titleholder beat Canada’s fourth-placed Olympic luger Alex Gough down to second. The 2011 and 2013 World Championship bronze medallist is the only person to have beat Natalie Geisenberger in the World Cup this season, coming first in the FIL Sprint World Cup in her home city of Calgary. Third place in the Königssee race went to Dajana Eitberger of Germany, who took bronze in last winter’s European Championships. US luger Emily Sweeney was fourth, the 2013 Junior World Champion’s best World Cup result to date. Natalie Geisenberger continues to head the overall Viessmann World Cup rankings, now with 570 points, a very clear lead on teammate Tatjana Hüfner (390), who came fifth in Königssee. Dajana Eitberger is third in the overall rankings with 371 points. The 5th race in the Viessmann World Cup will be held in Oberhof in the Thuringian Forest on 17–18 January 2015. Quotes Natalie Geisenberger (GER / 2014 Olympic Champion, 2010 Olympic bronze medallist and 2013 World Champion) “To start the new year with a victory in front of an audience like this is brilliant. I had a grin on my face going down the track, a good sign. I’m just having fun.” Alex Gough (CAN / 2011 and 2013 World Champion and fourth in 2014 Olympics) “What a great start to the new year. If everything comes together, I could even beat Natalie Geisenberger in a two-run World Cup race. That day is bound to come.” Dajana Eitberger (GER / 2014 European Championship bronze medallist and 2009 Junior World Champion) “I’m very happy. I think I’ve done well when I look forward to the World Championships next year. I don’t want to go out too far on a limb, but things are looking good when it comes to qualifying for the World Championships.”