Nagano (pps) The doubles’ events are dominated by the everlasting duel between Christian Oberstolz-Patrick Gruber (Italy) and Patric Leitner-Alexander Resch (Germany). Already last season the two teams competed in a class of their own even though they eventually failed to claim a medal at the Olympic Games in Torino, coming fifth (Oberstolz-Gruber) and sixth (Leitner-Resch) respectively. Prior to the 4 th event of the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Nagano, Japan, Oberstolz-Gruber are currently heading the overall rankings with 285 points ahead of Leitner-Resch (270).

The two athletes from South Tyrol, who achieved victories in Cesana and Park City, and the two lugers from Bavaria, who outclassed their opponents by winning with an advantage of almost half a second, seem to dictate the races at will. “The track in Nagano is one of our favourites. We intend to gain our second victory next weekend. Additionally, we want to at least draw level with Oberstolz-Gruber in the overall World Cup rankings”, announced Germany’s Patric Leitner.