Sigulda (pps) Historical day in Latvia: For the first time ever, Germany`s luge girls lost in Sigulda a race in Suzuki Challenge Cup. After 20 victories in a row since the debut of the Challenge Cup in 1999/2000 Ukraine`s Natalia Yakushenko got the honour to beat the Germans. She won in 44,105 seconds against Barbara Niedernhuber (44,165) in the final run.
The men`s race was won by Russia`s Albert Demtschenko, who finished already with the second rank in Altenberg last week. Demtschenko won the final in 49,364 seconds, Austria`s Rainer Margreiter (50,347) had no chance.
Only in the doubles the german team celebrated a victory. Andre Florschütz/Torsten Wustlich finished in 43,790 seconds, the second place went to Christian Oberstolz/Patrick Gruber (43,831) from Italy.
Due to a injury during training, Olympic Champion Patric Leitner (GER) went back to Germany. But he plans to start again at the next World Cup in Lake Placid.