Winterberg (pps). With a fourth place at the last but one race of the season, Germany’s Silke Kraushaar-Pielach won the overall ranking of the Viessmann Luge World Cup. With now 745 points, the Olympic Champion of 1998 before the World Cup finals in Sigulda (Latvia, 16th-18th February) is unbeatable in front and is with now five Overall victorys record winner followed by her retired teammate Sylke Otto with four victorys.
At the bobtrack in Winterberg (Germany) the new World Champion Tatjana Hüfner won in 1 minute 54,633 seconds and the new track record of 57,278 seconds in second run. Vice World Champion Anke Wischnewski (GER, 1 minute 54,735 seconds) were second followed by Natalia Yakuschenko from Ukraine in 1 minute 54,787 seconds.
Best of the US-team was two-times vice World Team-Champion Ashley Hayden as eighth (1 minute 55,612 seconds).

Quotes:

Tatjana Hüfner (GER/ World Champion 2007, Olympic bronze medallist 2006)
„I was not satisfied with the first run but I had a big increase in second run. After the changes at the track I found it hard to find my way and I am very happy about the victory.”

Anke Wischnewski (GER / third at World Championships 2005 and Vice World Champion 2007)
„Second rank is okay but the runs were not, because I had some little mistakes. After the changes, the track in Winterberg now is faster and harder. Until now, it was a slow track.”

Natalia Yakuschenko (UKR, Overall Champion Suzuki Challenge Cup 2005, Fourth of European Championships 2006 in Winterberg)
„I like the track in Winterberg. I am happy about the third rank but I am not very satisfied with my runs.”

Silke Kraushaar-Pielach (GER / Olympic Champion 1998, World Champion 2004, record-winner of overall ranking)
„I am satisfied. As overall Champion I gave my best over the whole season and that is very important for me.”