Sigulda (pps) The Italian doubles team Christian Oberstolz-Patrick Gruber won their second European Championship title after 2008. At the final of the Viessmann Luge World Cup series in Sigulda, Latvia, the 2011 World silver medalists claimed their 16th individual victory and simultaneously earned the gold medal at the 45th European Championships of the International Luge Federation, carried out within the World Cup. It was at the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Lake Placid in the U.S. state of New York four years ago that Oberstolz-Gruber claimed their last top podium finish.

Russia’s doubles team Vladislav Yuzhakov-Vladislav Makhnutin posted a second place result at the Viessmann Luge World Cup and the European Championships ahead of two-time Olympic Champions Andreas Linger-Wolfgang Linger of Austria.

The first European Luge Championships were carried out 100 years ago. Venue of the Europeans was Reichenberg in Bohemia, today’s Czech Republic, on February 1-2, 1914.

With 770 points to their credit, Germany’s World Champions Tobias Wendl-Tobias Arlt already claimed the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup title prior to the event in Sigulda. Their teammates Toni Eggert-Sascha Benecken are in second place (630 points) while the Italian doubles Oberstolz-Gruber in third position (548 points).

Quotes

Christian Oberstolz (ITA / 2008 and 2014 European Champion, 2011 World silver medalist)

“This is such a relief for us. You really can’t imagine! Our last success dates back four years. We’ve worked hard this week to earn this victory. To be honest – I’m absolutely lost for words.”

Vladislav Yuzhakov (RUS / 2014 European silver Medalist)

“We’re not happy with our second place result. We wanted to win but then we’ve made a lot of mistakes. The track here in Sigulda is our ‘home-track’. But we usually practice in warmer weather and then the ice is softer. The cold weather really upset our plans…”

Andreas Linger (AUT / two-time Olympic and three-time World Champion) “It’s always great to win a European Championship medal. It will give us a boost for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games.”