Olympic Champion Felix Loch avenges World Championship defeat

Sigulda (RWH)  Felix Loch has recaptured his form on the ice track and avenged last year’s World Championship defeat in Sigulda, Latvia. The two-time Olympic gold medallist and four-time World Champion from Germany clinched the 27th singles victory of his career, and his second of the season, in the Viessmann Luge World Cup.

Just under a year ago, the now 26-year-old slider finished second behind Semen Pavlichenko at the 45th International Luge Federation (FIL) World Championships in Sigulda. The Russian World Champion and European Champion of 2015 finished as runner-up this time round. Third place went to American slider Tucker West. German Ralf Palik finished fourth to claim the best result of his career to date, beating his previous best achieved at Park City (USA) in December 2015.

World Championship bronze medallist Wolfgang Kindl from Austria, who held second place at the halfway mark, ultimately came seventh and missed out on a podium finish for the first time this season. However, he still retains his lead in the overall standings of the Viessmann Luge World Cup on 511 points. Felix Loch (490) has moved up to second place, just 21 points behind Kindl. American luger Chris Mazdzer (447) now lies third, having finished eighth in Sigulda.

The sixth Viessmann Luge World Cup of the season will be staged in Oberhof (GER) next weekend, while the highlight of the season, the 46th International Luge Federation (FIL) World Championships, is scheduled to take place on the artificial track in Königssee from January 29-31, 2016.

Quotes

Felix Loch (GER / 2010 and 2014 Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion)

“Thankfully we’re heading to the German tracks now – Oberhof followed by the main event of the season, the World Championships in Königssee. One of my main objectives is to win a fifth overall World Cup. I made some silly mistakes early on in the season. It was never a real decline, but things are back to normal now.”

Semen Pavlichenko (RUS / World Champion 2015 and European Champion 2015)

“My second run went really well. Second place is OK.”

Tucker West (USA / YOG gold in the Team Relay 2012)

“It’s only my second time in Sigulda and to be honest I’m just glad to have survived. But seriously, I had two good runs and I made it to the finish, so I’m very happy.”