Innsbruck-Igls (pps) Germany’s Tatjana Huefner takes off into the new luge season just as she ended the last. Nine and a half months after her Olympic gold medal at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, the 27-year old celebrated the 22nd individual victory of her career. The two-time World champion defeated Olympic bronze medallist and compatriot Natalie Geisenberger to second place by a margin of 0,208 seconds.
US luger Erin Hamlin, 0,380 seconds behind Huefer, took third place. Thus, the 2009 World champion provided a brilliant start for the new USA Luge’s sport programm manager Mark Grimmette, two-time medal winner at Olympic Games (bronze in 1998 and silver in 2002).
Tatjana Huefner (GER / 2010 Olympic champion, 2007 and 2008 World champion): “I’m really surprised by the big winning margin. It feels good to be on the top spot of the podium again right at the season’s opener. I like the track in Igls. And the material seems to be just fine.”
Natalie Geisenberger (GER / 2010 Olympic bronze medallist, 2009 World runner-up): „I’m pleased with second place - but not at all with my first run. I had problems prior to the start with the elastic band of my visor and I almost arrived to late for my start.”
Erin Hamlin (USA / 2009 World champion): “That was a good start into the season for me and for the new coaching staff. I would like to maintain this level of performance for the upcoming races.”
