Merle Fräbel Germany’s first female Gold Medallist in Luge at YOG

St. Moritz / Lausanne (RWH) Merle Fräbel is the first female Youth Olympic Games (YOG) gold medallist in Luge from Germany. The 16-year-old student won the women’s race on the traditional natural ice track in St. Moritz, which is hosting all sliding events of YOG. Second and third place went to Fräbel’s team-mate Jessica Degenhardt and Russia’s Diana Loginova. In the past, the gold medallist in women’s Luge came from Austria (2012 Miriam Kastlunger) and Canada (2016 Brooke Apshkrum)

“This is an unbelievable feeling,” Merle Fräbel said. Never before, she has won a medal at World and European Championships in youth competions of the International Luge Federation (FIL). Merle Fräbel: “To be honest, I can’t believe this.”

Men’s double race produced a success of Germany as well. Moritz Jäger-Valentin Steudte won Gold followed by Latvia’s Kaspars Rinks-Ardis Liepins and Mikhail Karnaukhov-Iurii Chirva. The two russian made a big mistake in run one and finally saved the bronze medal with the best run time in the second heat.(Photo: Margit Dengler)