FIL Summer Cup Ilmenau: Taubitz and Ludwig win in front of 400 spectators

Ilmenau (FIL) After the cancellation of the FIL Summer Luge Cup in Ilmenau (GER) last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional summer wheel race could take place again for the 28th time on September 3 and 4, 2021. 400 spectators came to the 430-metre Wolfram Fiedler luge track in Thuringia. 40 lugers from four nations (Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland) took part in the traditional race in a sunny and relaxed atmosphere.

In only her second participation in the FIL Summer Luge Cup, World Champion Julia Taubitz from Germany won by seven thousandths of a second ahead of her teammate, 13-time winner from Ilmenau Dajana Eitberger and Natalie Maag from Switzerland.

In the men's and male junior events, bronze medallist from the 2018 Winter Olympics Johannes Ludwig was the fastest among the 17 starters and won for the fifth time. Two tenths of a second behind, World Cup starter Sebastian Bley and behind him their teammate Moritz Bollmann finished on the podium.
Ilmenau winner Johannes Ludwig said: "For me, Ilmenau is a competition to enjoy and have fun. I am amazed at how many people came. The atmosphere was again very familiar and I enjoyed it a lot. Now the Olympic season is just around the corner. Athletically I feel fit and the goal is to get to the Olympic Games and fight for the medals."

Winner Julia Taubitz was happy: "It is wonderful and a great feeling to ride in front of spectators again and to be cheered on at the start. I hope that we can take something from this for the winter". Teammate Dajana Eitberger added: "Those were our last summer runs, it was nice to have spectators again". The anticipation for the winter season was palpable among the ladies. Natalie Maag said: "This is now the end of the summer season, in one month we will luge again on ice. I'm not usually a good summer sledder. But it was mega-cool to give an autograph session before the race and then luge in front of spectators. It's just so much more fun that way!"

Clara Linda Ruß (GER/Schmalkalden) and Paul Socher (AUT/Sistrans) were the fastest in the Youth A class.

Photos: Sandro Halank