Natalie Geisenberger wins second Olympic gold to be crowned queen of the luge

PyeongChang (RWH) In icy temperatures Natalie Geisenberger won a tense and at times historic battle in the Olympic women’s luge. The 30-year-old German clinched the second gold medal of her career at the Winter Games in PyeongChang (KOR) to add to the bronze she won in 2010 and secure her role as Olympic luge queen. That position was previously shared by the two gold-winning Germans Steffi Walter (1984 and 1988) and Sylke Otto (2002 and 2006).

The bronze medallist Alex Gough (CAN) also made history under the watchful gaze of more than 4,000 spectators in the Alpensia Sliding Centre. It was the first luge medal in history for Canada at the Olympics. The World Championship bronze medallist in 2011 and 2013 narrowly missed out on this historic event in Sochi where she finished fourth. The silver medal went to Germany’s Dajana Eitberger, the 2015 European Champion.

Tatjana Hüfner, who already has a full set of Olympic medals (gold in 2010, silver in 2014, and bronze in 2006) in her trophy cabinet, finished fourth at her fourth Olympics to miss out on a fourth medal by the slenderest of margins.

Erin Hamlin, who made history as the USA’s first female luge medallist back in 2014, finished sixth on her final Olympic appearance, just behind Kimberley McRae (CAN). Hamlin, who carried the flag at the opening ceremony, is due to retire from the sport following her fourth Olympics. She will take away memories of her Olympic bronze, gold at the World Championships in 2009, silver at the 2017 World Championships, and the World Championship sprint title in 2017.

The Romanian Raluca Strămăturaru finished in seventh place. Romania’s best Olympic performance is still the fourth place achieved by the Romanian doubles pairing of Ioan Apostol/Liviu Cepoi in Albertville in 1992.

Aileen Frisch, a former Junior World Champion for Germany, put in a surprise performance on her Olympic debut for Korea. The former U23 World Champion finished eighth to secure the host nation’s best ever Olympic result in luge.

The US luger Summer Britcher got her name on the leaderboard by setting a track record on the second run (46.132 seconds), but ultimately the U23 World Champion of 2017 could only manage 19th after three consecutive poor runs.

Quotes

Natalie Geisenberger (GER / Olympic Champion in 2014, Olympic bronze medallist in 2010, three-time World Champion, six-time winner of the overall World Cup)

“It’s impossible to compare gold medals. To stand on the top step of the podium at the Olympic Games is just the greatest feeling. The key was getting four clean runs, and I got four really strong starts as well.”

Dajana Eitberger (GER / 2015 European Champion)

“I have butterflies in my stomach, I just can’t put the feeling into words. The last four years haven’t always been easy for me, so winning an Olympic medal tastes all the sweeter.”

Alex Gough (CAN / World Championship bronze medallist 2011 and 2013)

“We got so close to a medal in Sochi. This time I had the luck you need to win a medal. I still have the relay to come, but it’s pretty likely this was my last race in the women’s event.