Natalie Geisenberger completes the 50 victories

Oberhof (FIL) Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger has completed her series at the EBERSPÄCHER World Cup. Instead of finishing second, as she has done eight times this season, the 32-year-old from Miesbach won in Oberhof. It is the first victory after her return from her mom break. And her 50th victory in a World Cup.

German head coach Norbert Loch immediately ran to his athlete and took her in his arms, all German support staff had the 50 on their smartphones and tablets. "It's a nice feeling that the 50 is finally full," Geisenberger said, touched. Even though she is not a statistician, as the four-time Olympic champion pointed out, but this success makes her proud. "The 50th victory means that I was quite good a time or two," she explained matter-of-factly. Then to immediately get emotional again: "I'm especially happy today because it's the first one after the birth of my son." Geisenberger also crowned her triumph in Oberhof by setting track records twice. The new record now stands at 41.009 seconds.

Just as led as the luger was coach Loch. "I am happy for Natalie," he said, "I know her since she was ten years old. She learned luge with me, so she is especially happy about such a historic victory." The way the seven-time overall World Cup winner fought her way back after the birth of her son Leo earned him respect. His prediction: "We can expect a lot more from her in the future."

In light of Geisenberger's historic victory, the two athletes who finished on the podium alongside her, were somewhat overshadowed. Madeleine Egle from Tyrol could not only be happy about her best career result as second. "Super that it worked out like this, I'm mega happy about second place and my best placing," said the Austrian. After Italy's Andrea Vötter had taken the start record away from her in the first run in 6.806 seconds, she took it back with a mark of 6.795 seconds. Third place went to Anna Berreiter.

The young German has to share in the German team with Cheyenne Rosenthal besides the seeded Geisenberger, Julia Taubitz and Dajana Eitberger. Therefore, the 21-year-old Berchtesgadener admitted; "In the first run I was still nervous. With my third place I am super happy."

In the overall World Cup, Geisenberger's victory has given her some breathing room again compared to Julia Taubitz, also because the defending champion could only finish fifth behind Russia's Tatyana Ivanova. "There were too many mistakes in the second run," said the 24-year-old. Geisenberger has 780 points with three races left, Taubitz 706. Austria's Egle (521) is now third.  

The results of the 7th EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup in Oberhof can be found at the following link: https://www.fil-luge.org/de/ergebnisse/eberspaecher-weltcup-6