Number 25: Anniversary victory for Julia Taubitz

Oberhof (FIL/18. Feb. 2024) Anniversary for Julia Taubitz: with her success at the EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup in Oberhof, the German has now reached the mark of 25 World Cup victories. But the 27-year-old had to fight hard for her first victory on her chosen home track in 1:24.448 minutes. After the first run, her constant rival Madeleine Egle was in the lead. However, the Austrian made some small mistakes in the second run, dropping back to third place (0.116 seconds behind) with the eleventh-fastest time. "I lacked speed because little things weren't right," said the Austrian. "It's always close in Oberhof," she added. She has 612 points in the overall World Cup and has therefore lost further ground on Taubitz (725). That's why Egle said: "Catching up will be very, very difficult." Anna Berreiter (/Germany/0.051), the 2023 World Champion from Oberhof, came between Taubitz and Egle. 

Julia Taubitz was unable to make friends with the 945-metre-long ice track for a long time. She repeatedly struggled with the challenging track. Since Taubitz moved to Oberhof, she has been doing more training runs there. "I've learned to love the track," she said, beaming with joy on the top step of the podium.

Natalie Maag just missed out on the podium in fourth place, 0.175 seconds behind. The Swiss athlete now also lives in Oberhof and trains together with Taubitz. World Champion Lisa Schulte (Austria/0.276) came fifth ahead of Merle Fräbel (0.311). The German celebrated her first World Cup victory a week ago in Oberhof. She is followed by Ashley Farquharson (USA/0.331), the first luger from overseas. Farquharson's colleague from the US team, Summer Britcher, once again showed what she is capable of in the second run. After a totally botched first run, she posted the second-fastest time in 42.432 seconds. But it was not enough for more than 14th place (0.608).