Julia Taubitz calls time on Olympic Champion Natalie Geisenberger’s winning streak

Calgary (RWH) The Olympic Champion Natalie Geisenberger’s winning streak has come to an end. Following a total of three race wins so far this post-Olympic season, the six-time overall winner of the Viessmann World Cup has been beaten by her team mate Julia Taubitz. The 22-year-old athlete won her first ever singles race in the Viessmann World Cup in Calgary.

On a beautifully sunny day in Canada Olympic Park (COP), Canada’s Kimberley McRae – bronze medallist at the 2017 World Championships – finished in third in her début race this season. The 26-year-old will also be competing in the race in Lake Placid next weekend before taking a break until the International Luge Federation's (FIL) 48th World Championships in Winterberg at the end of January 2019 due to commitments for her nursing course. Her team mate Alex Gough – Canada’s most successful female luge athlete of all time – marked the official end of her career as the forerunner for the race.

Geisenberger leads the overall standings in the Viessmann World Cup with 385 points, followed by Taubitz (355) and record-breaking World Champion Tatjana Hüfner (GER), who now has 202 points after finishing seventh in Calgary.

The next stop in the Viessmann World Cup will be Lake Placid in New York state (USA) next weekend (15/16 December 2018).

Quotes

Julia Taubitz (GER / 2016 Junior World Champion)

“I honestly never thought that I would get my first World Cup victory here in Calgary of all places. I had no idea that my performance would be good enough, not even during the race. I was a bit nervous before the second heat, but it was fine.”

Natalie Geisenberger (GER / 2014 and 2018 Olympic Champion):

“If you can't be happy with second place any more, then you’re doing something wrong. It’s a great head-to-head battle between Julia and myself. It’s fun for both of us and spurs us on.”

Kimberley McRae (CAN / bronze medallist in the 2017 World Championships, fifth place in the 2014 Olympics)

“It’s incredible. All I wanted to do was get two clean runs under my belt. I never thought I would end up on the podium. Alex Gough is still a great role model of mine.”