Paramonovo (pps) At the première of the Viessmann Luge World Cup on the first artificially-iced track in Paramonovo, Russia, and cheered by numerous spectators Albert Demchenko celebrated his first victory this season. The 39-year old Olympic silver medallist of the 2006 Winter Games in Torino defeated the two German lugers Felix Loch and Andi Langenhan to second and third place respectively.
Armin Zoeggeler of Italy, currently on top of the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup rankings, botched his first run and even though he then clocked the fastest time in the second he had to settle for fifth place in the end. This is why the decision as to the overall World Cup winner will be taken in Sigulda, Latvia, next weekend. Prior to the eighth World Cup stop, Zoeggeler is heading the rankings with 665 points to his credit, ahead of Felix Loch (630) and David Moeller (GER / 466).
The Quotes
Albert Demchenko (RUS / 2006 Olympic silver medallist, 2010 European champion)
“This is my best victory so far, simply wonderful, because I live not far from here. It is something very special to celebrate a victory in front of a home crowd. Well, if I wouldn’t have won here I would have had problems showing my face going shopping.”
Felix Loch (GER / 2010 Olympic and two-time World champion)
“It worked out better than I thought. Even though I reduced the gap to Armin on the overall rankings, I think that he will win the overall World Cup. Being 35 points ahead of me, he just needs a podium finish in Sigulda. I would be very very pleased remaining on second place in the overall rankings.”
Andi Langenhan (GER / 2008 World silver medallist, 2010 Olympic 5th-placed) “I never reckoned with the third place. It’s a great surprise that my ‘excursion’ to Russia ends with a podium finish.”
