Ludwig celebrates maiden win

Winterberg (RWH) Johannes Ludwig from Germany has clinched his first ever victory in the Viessmann World Cup at the ripe old age of 30. At the season opener in Winterberg, the 2013 World Championship bronze medallist relegated the Russian Roman Repilov and his own teammate Andi Langenhan to second and third places respectively. 20-year-old Repilov had previously won the 2016 Junior World Championship title on the artificial track in Winterberg.

Ludwig, who celebrates his 31st birthday on 14 February 2017, last stood on the podium when he claimed third place in the BMW Sprint World Cup in Oberhof in January 2016. His father Jörg-Dieter won gold at the 1979 European Championships with partner Bernd Oberhoffner.

As last year, when Russian Stepan Fedorov took a surprise win, the weather conditions were far from ideal. Defending champion Felix Loch (GER) had to settle for fourth amongst the rain and occasional sleet. “Every year,” was the terse verdict of the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Champion.

Quotes

Johannes Ludwig (GER / World Championship bronze medallist 2013)

“I want to thank my wife for her support, my coach Jan Eichhorn, and my mechanic Robert Eschrich. I’d almost got to the point where I thought I would never win a race. But maybe I’m like wine – I’m getting better with age.”

Roman Repilov (RUS / Junior World Champion 2016)

“All medals are important to me, so I don’t see much difference between gold at the Junior World Championships and a second place in the World Cup. My aim this season is to achieve good results on a consistent basis.”

Andi Langenhan (GER / 2012 European Champion, World Championship bronze medallist in 2008 and 2011, and World Championship silver medallist in the 2016 Sprint)

“The weather was a real lottery again, but not quite as bad as last year. I’d like to have caught the Russians in front of me.”