Host nation Latvia wins ahead of Russia and Germany

Sigulda (RWH) The German squad, perennial winners of the Viessmann Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW, have suffered their second defeat of the post-Olympic winter season. The host team won the race with the line-up of Kendija Aparjode, Kristers Aparjods and Oskars Gudramovics/Peteris Kalnins in Sigulda, Latvia.

The quartet fielded by European Champions Russia, which emerged victorious in Whistler, Canada, finished ahead of Olympic Champions Germany with the line-up of Tatyana Ivanova, Semen Pavlichenko and the doubles duo of Vladislav Yuzhakov/Iurii Prokhorov. The current World Champions fielded Natalie Geisenberger, Felix Loch and Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken.

The Austrian, Italian and Polish relay teams did not make the overall classification because they failed to hit the touchpad at the handover.

After four of six events, Germany continues to head the overall rankings with 355 points ahead of Russia (300). Latvia has now moved up to third with 270 points, just ahead of the USA (265).