Just in time for the oncoming World Championships next weekend, Russia´s Ekatharina Lavrentjeva, silber medallist in the 2003 World Championships and winner of last year´s overall World Cup, has found back her way on the winning track. In spite of suffering from a cold and fever in the morning, she celebrated her first season victory after a flawless second run which put her from the fourth spot on top of the podium. “In my first run I had a little mistake, but the cesond one was really excellent”, the Russian, who also works as a luge trainer in her hometown in Kandalaksha, said. “I had no chance to win the overall World Cup, so I could race without any pressure and now I can fully concentrate on the World Championships.”
Renate Gietl (ITA), too, can fully concentrate on the World Championships, because with her fourth place in today´s race she already won the World Cup. So there was no disappointment on her side, even though her winning streak had been stopped: “I am absolutely happy, I have had a terrific season so far with more wins than before in my entire career, and I am very happy that I could improve myself from the fifth to the fourth rank in the second run, so that today I have won the overall World Cup.”
Her spot on the podium was taken by her sister Christa Gietl, who had suffered from an injury on her hand. “I am happy that after all it also has worked out for me. With the pressure within our team and my injury it was really hard to come back to a good result. Here I really enjoyed racing, I like the track and it is in favour of my riding style” In between the two Gietl-sisters squeezed another Italian: Irene Mitterstieler finished third.
But the fastest time of the day was performed by an Austrian youngster: Tina Unterberger had been in the lead after the first run. “In my second run I was just on the brakes, I was really nervous. It is a strange feeling to be a junior between all those experienced people here.”
In the double seater´s event the Austrian Reinhard Beer/Herbert Kögl wanted to push an early decision, but it was just the opposite to happen. With their second season win Andrzej Lasczcak/Damian Waniczek fought themselves back into the decision for the Overall World Cup. “We had some little mistakes, so there is still some improvement possible”, said the Polish double, thinking of the World Championships next week. “We already have been there for three training days and we really like the track”. But they are very well aware of the strong competition coming from Russia. The second as well as the third place in today´s race in Latzfons went to Russia.
For the first time in this season Reinhard Beer/Herbert Kögl did not make the podium. “We wanted too much, we wanted to win the World Cup today and we were fully attacking. This was completely wrong on that track, this track needs technically accurate and soft sledding. It was stupid from the beginning to put that much of a pressure on ourselves.” So they had to settle for the fifth place, but are still leading the World Cup by a 45 points margin. The cousins Andreas and Wolfgang Schopf (AUT) who had permanently been within the top four during the whole season, did not participate. They went home after a training injury of Andreas Schopf.
Photo: Bernhard Kogler
