Roman Repilov repeats last year's success

Lake Placid (RWH): Roman Repilov of Russia has ended Wolfgang Kindl’s (AUT) run of victories, though he did benefit from the current World Champion’s disqualification. Kindl – who was third after the first run at the Viessmann World Cup race in Lake Placid in the US state of New York – was then disqualified prior to the second run due to his sled being overweight. Kindl’s sled weighed 25.3 kilograms instead of the permitted 25. His disqualification thus ended a run of three successive victories for the athlete, who finished ninth at the Olympics. 

Securing the best time over the two heats, Repilov was able to repeat his success from last year. The 2017 World Championship silver medallist finished ahead of Johannes Ludwig of Germany and 

Despite being disqualified, Wolfgang Kindl continues to lead the overall standings. After the fifth of twelve events in the racing series, the 30-year-old athlete from Tirol (370 points) holds a 20-point lead over Ludwig (350). After finishing fifth in Lake Placid, Felix Loch is currently in third place (320) in the overall standings. The 2010 and 2014 Olympic Champion won in Lake Placid in 2009 to secure the second of his five World Championship titles in the men's singles. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old athlete is still waiting to win a Viessmann World Cup race on the two-time Olympic track (1932 and 1980).

 Quotes

Roman Repilov (RUS / overall winner in the 2016/2017 Viessmann World Cup, silver medallist in the 2017 World Championships):

“That was good. As soon as I arrived in Lake Placid, I could feel how fast I was on this track. I just feel at ease on this track. My start wasn’t at all bad this time around. I only had a minor problem on the exit to corner 14.”

Johannes Ludwig (GER / bronze medallist at the 2018 Olympics, third in the 2013 World Championships):

“Lake Placid is an awesome track. I have learned to love it over the past few years, after finishing second in the sprint last year and fourth in the singles event. A good result in the sprint will move me ahead in the overall rankings. My goal is to always end up on the podium but if I can contend for the overall World Cup win, too, then it's even better.”

Reinhard Egger (AUT / Olympic qualifier in 2014 and 2018)

“Third again. I have been fast all week but just couldn't manage to get the runs to work out. Lake Placid is the toughest track in the world. For the first few training runs, you’re simply fighting to get to the finish line; it's only then you really start luging.”