Junior World Champion Repilov takes maiden Viessmann World Cup win

Park City (RWH) Two-time Junior World Champion Roman Repilov has added his name to the list of Viessmann World Cup winners at the race in Park City. The 20-year-old set the best time on both runs to snatch victory ahead of Austrian Wolfgang Kindl in second. Italy’s Dominik Fischnaller came third to take his first podium of the pre-Olympic winter season.

Repilov becomes the fourth athlete to win an event in the  2016/2017 Viessmann World Cup season, following on from the two winners in Winterberg, Johannes Ludwig and Felix Loch (both GER), as well as double winner Tucker West (USA), who took victory in Lake Placid and Whistler. West came fourth this time around ahead of Loch, while Ludwig finished tenth.

This was the first win of the season for the Russian team, but it was their fourth podium after second place finishes for Repilov and former World Champion Semen Pavlichenko, and a third place for Stepan Fedorov.

Wolfgang Kindl now leads the overall standings on 336 points, just ahead of Repilov (322) and Loch (315). On Saturday, the lugers will compete in the BMW Sprint World Cup on the Olympic track used for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, before heading into the Christmas break.

Quotes

Roman Repilov (RUS / Junior World Champion 2015 and 2016):

“I’m exhausted, but also very happy. This win obviously takes me to a very high level, but I also train really hard. The Russian team has been so strong this winter because we’re concentrating on our starts and we’re also driving well.”

Wolfgang Kindl (AUT / World Championship bronze medallist in 2015 and 2016, and Junior World Champion 2008):

“I'm heading in the right direction. I’m still waiting for a win, but I’m nearly there so it can’t be far off now. I’ve managed to carry last winter’s momentum into the new season. The equipment is working really well, and that gives me confidence.”

Dominik Fischnaller (ITA / Junior World Champion 2013):

“It finally worked out. I started out pretty leisurely in Winterberg with 15th place, then worked my way up to 11th before taking fifth in Whistler. I’ve finally managed to complete a run without any errors. The sled has been absolutely fine, all the mistakes have been my own.”