Olympic Champion Loch takes first win of the season – Kindl extends lead

Calgary (RWH)  Felix Loch has rediscovered his winning form on the ice track. At the fifth time of asking, the two-time Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion from Germany celebrated his first win of the season at the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Calgary, Canada, the fourth round of the 2015/2016 winter.

The 26-year-old slider took the 26th singles victory of his career to relegate American Chris Mazdzer, who won in Lake Placid and Park City, into second place.  Austrian Wolfgang Kindl finished third to defend his leader’s yellow jersey in the Viessmann World Cup on 395 points.

Loch is the fourth name to be added to the list of winners in the 2015/2016 winter season. His name appears alongside previous winners Dominik Fischnaller in Innsbruck, Chris Mazdzer on his home tracks, and Wolfgang Kindl, who won the BMW Sprint World Cup in Park City.

World Champion and European Champion Semen Pavlichenko of Russia was disqualified after the first run due to a technical infringement. Despite perfect track conditions, the track record of 44.516 seconds, set by Italian Armin Zöggeler on November 30, 2002, still remains unbeaten after 13 years.

Kindl, Austria’s first World Cup leader in 11 years, is followed in the standings by Chris Mazdzer (355), Dominik Fischnaller of Italy on 306 points and Felix Loch with a score of 290 points.

The Viessmann World Cup will take a Christmas break after this afternoon’s BMW Sprint World Cup. The 5th Viessmann World Cup will be held on January 9-10, 2016 in Sigulda, Latvia, which hosted the 45th International Luge Federation (FIL) World Championships in 2015.

Quotes

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

“I’m so relieved. It’s cool to be back on the top step of the podium after I pretty much threw away the wins in Innsbruck and Lake Placid. I’m looking forward to the sprint so I make up a few points in the World Cup standings. And I can’t wait to get home, although everything is green and warm and there is beautiful winter weather here.”

Chris Mazdzer (USA / sixth in 2015 World Championships)

“It’s a pity that last year’s winner Sam Edney wasn’t here as he is taking a sabbatical. He would have gone well here. We have made progress on the US team because we spend so much time together and discuss everything openly. There are no secrets in the team.”

Wolfgang Kindl (AUT / World Championship bronze medallist in 2015 and Junior World Champion 2008)

“I’m still in the lead, and looking forward to the sprint. It’s a great feeling to be wearing the yellow jersey – it really motivates me. It has been a sensational start to the season. I started out well and found my rhythm right away, and that kind of confidence brings form.”