Oberhof (pps) The German luge team with German Champion Jan Eichhorn, European Champion Silke Kraushaar and doubles Steffen Skel/Steffen Wöller won the Team Competition at the 39. European Championships. At the luge track in Oberhof (Germany) the german team (two minutes 08,035 seconds) was on first rank. Skel/Wöller, in the actual season without any international competition and qualified after winning the German Championships, improved the track record of their teammates Patric Leitner/Alexander Resch to 41.553 seconds. The Italian team with Armin Zöggeler, who became European Champion the same day, Anastasia Oberstolz-Antonova and Christian Oberstolz/Patrik Gruber (two minutes 08, 508 seconds) won the silver medal. Third was the team from Austria (two minutes 08, 783 seconds) with Martin Abentung, Veronika Halder and World Champions Andreas Linger/Wolfgang Linger.

Quotes:

Steffen Skel (GER) (Vice-World-Champion 2000):
„We improved the track record but the run was not optimal. On Sunday we want to be even better and than we will see what is on the time-table. How we will go on with the World Cup or the World Championships we don’t know.”

Steffen Wöller (GER) (Vice-World-Champion 2000):
„We wanted to show that we can do well in international race. The result is good. I can’t say what we can reach at the race on Sunday, at the doubles it is always hard.“

Veronika Halder (AUT) (fifth at World Championships 2003):
„Even with the snow the conditions were fair. I am very satisfied, that the whole team was so good. My time also was ok. On Sunday I want a medal. I don’t know the track in Nagano, so it will be difficult for me at the World Championships.”

Anastasia Oberstolz-Antonova (ITA):
„The second place is not surprising, our team won the silver medal two times before in world cup. The result motivates me for the race on Sunday. I don’t expect a special rank, I just want to do my best.”