Cesana (pps) Tatjana Huefner (GER), Armin Zoeggeler (ITA) and Patric Leitner-Alexander Resch (GER) have left their mark at the 4th stop of the Viessmann Luge World Cup on the artificial track in Koenigssee last weekend. And they hope to repeat their good performances at the upcoming fifth of the altogether nine events of the World Cup series in Cesana, Italy, next weekend. While two-time World champion Huefner has learned a lesson from her defeat in Winterberg and Italy’s two-time Olympic champion has given an impressive demonstration of his class, the local heroes in the double-seater have made the most of their home advantage and celebrated a successful comeback after problems at the start of the season.

“I’ve learned to be aggressive in every single run,” Huefner explained after her victory, outclassing her competitors with an advantage of more than half a second. With now 13 individual successes the two-time World champion climbed to third place on the list of record winners in the Viessmann Luge World Cup. She is now tied with Gerda Weissensteiner of Italy (1994 Olympic champion) and Germany’s Gabi Kohlisch (1990 and 1995 World champion). The list is headed by Olympic champion Sylke Otto (37 individual victories), followed by Silke Kraushaar-Pielach (36), 1998 Olympic and 2004 World champion.

Thanks to his 42nd individual success, Italy’s Armin Zoeggeler has further solidified his leading position. “Zoeggeler’s living room” – this is how Germany’s long-time head coach Thomas Schwab referred to the artificial track in Koenigssee, where Zoeggeler celebrated his 7th victory. “Zoeggeler feels more at home there than on other tracks”, commented Schwab, who now acts as Sports Director and Secretary General of the German federation, BSD. However, 35-year-old Zoeggeler feels even more “at home” in Cesana. Since 2005, he has not lost a single race and remained undefeated at four events (2006 Olympic Games, 2008 European Championships and two Viessmann Luge World Cup events).

Since 2001, Germany’s Patric Leitner-Alexander Resch remained undefeated on their home track in Koenigssee. “This was one of our most important victories”, said Patric Leitner after their first success this season. In Cesana, the four-time World champions intend to prove that this success was not just a flash in the pan. However, the local heroes could well thwart their plans. Italy’s European champions (Christian Oberstolz-Patrick Gruber) and Olympic bronze medallists (Gerhard Plankensteiner-Oswald Haselrieder) have long since given proof of their skills on their home track. Additionally, Olympic champions Andreas Linger-Wolfgang Linger of Austria should not be ignored either.