27-year old Huefner, who took the bronze medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Cesana, thus recaptured the World Championship title that US luger Erin Hamlin had snatched away two years ago. At the 41st FIL Luge World Championship in Lake Placid, USA, Hamlin became the first female US luger to win a World Championship gold medal. Simultaneously, the then 22-year old student put an end to the winning streak of Germany’s women – after a total of 88 victories in the Viessmann Luge World Cup, three Olympic (1998, 2002 and 2008) as well as eight World Championship titles (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 und 2008) the German women’s luge team had to stomach a defeat – in the 100th event ! This time, following a mistake in the first run, Hamlin finished in 14th position. Tatjana Huefner posted the altogether 13th World Championship gold in the women’s singles for Germany.
The Quotes
Tajana Huefner (GER / 2010 Olympic as well as 2007 and 2008 World champion) “I didn’t waste a thought on the Worlds two years ago but fully concentrated on this track here in Cesana. I’ve been working hard with my mechanic and my coach and it has paid off. Well, in the first run I was a tiny bit scared when my sled took a bit off.”
Natalie Geisenberger (GER / 2010 Olympic bronze medallist and 2008 European champion)
„Tatjana fully deserves the World Championship title. She simply showed the best performance today.” Alex Gough (CAN / 4th at the 2009 Worlds)
“That’s just great. I’m totally happy. I knew that Canada’s women had not yet won a medal, but this thought didn’t put me on edge. I didn’t feel any pressure whatsoever.”
