Nations Cup victories for Kendija Aparjode, Gints Berzins and Walker / Snith in Innsbruck

Innsbruck (FIL) Kendija Aparjode (LAT), Gints Berzins, (LAT) and the double Tristen Walker / Justin Snith (CAN) were the fastest at the penultimate FIL Nations Cup of the 2020/21 season on Friday, January 21, 2021 in Innsbruck-Igls.

In sunshine, plus temperatures and gusty winds at the foot of the Patscherkofel, 23-year-old Latvian Kendija Aparjode won in 40.329 seconds ahead of Tyrolean Lisa Schulte and Germany's Cheyenne Rosenthal, who shared second place in the same time (+0.184). South Tyrolean Verena Hofer (+0.189) finished close behind in fourth place.

In the men's race, the winner of the 2020 Youth Olympic Games Gints Berzins from Latvia was the fastest in a convincing 50.275 seconds. Germany's Chris Eissler (+0.201) was second ahead of Tucker West of the USA (+0.238). The 18-year-old athlete from Sigulda was happy about the victory: "The Nations Cup always feels a bit like training. But when you win it then, it is already a very good feeling. But tomorrow at the World Cup it will be serious. The result is really important then."

The Nations Cup doubles featured a very close North American duel, with Canadians Tritan Walker and Justin Snitz of Calgary winning in 39.997 seconds. The US Americans Chris Mazdzer and Jayson Terdiman followed with only six thousandths of a second (+0.006) on the silver rank. Poland's Wojciech Chmielewski and Jacub Kowalewski finished third (+0.246). Justin Snith was satisfied with the race time and the run: "We had a bad practice here in Igls. So it's good that it worked out at the Nations Cup today. But tomorrow at the World Cup it will count".

Detailed results and further information about the 8th EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup in Innsbruck-Igls, the Nations Cup results and the trainings can be found under the following link: https://www.fil-luge.org/en/multimedia/eberspaecher-world-cup-6