Second consecutive victory for Tucker West

Whistler (RWH) Just one week after clinching victory at his home race in Lake Placid, NY, Tucker West has continued his winning streak at the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Whistler, Canada. The 21-year-old American took the third race victory of his career to relegate Austrian Wolfgang Kindl to second place. Germany’s Andi Langenhan was third.

Olympic Champion Felix Loch (GER) had to settle for sixth place on the 2010 Olympic track where he won his first gold medal six years ago. He trailed home behind fourth-placed Semen Pavlichenko from Russia, and Italian Dominik Fischnaller. Nevertheless, the two-time Olympic Champion retains his lead in the overall Viessmann World Cup classification on 260 points, staying ahead of his compatriot Johannes Ludwig (255), who finished seventh in Whistler. Wolfgang Kindl is in third (251).

All races at the third Viessmann World Cup of the season on the Olympic track on Blackcomb Mountain were reduced to a single run following sled transportation problems. The Nations Cup was cancelled entirely and will not be rescheduled. In the men’s event, the first 32 seeded athletes were allowed to start.

The World Cup entourage now travels as planned to Park City in Utah, USA, where the last event on the calendar before the Christmas break will take place on the 2002 Olympic track. The races are scheduled for 16 and 17 December, and the America-Pacific Championships will also be staged using the race-in-race format.

Tucker West (USA / U23 World Champion)

“This was a crazy week. It was extremely difficult,” remarked the winner. “We started training today. We only had three runs which is half of what we usually get. We had training here the beginning of the year which helped a ton. I’m glad I was able to come here and show what I can do, so I’m thrilled with the race today.”

Wolfgang Kindl (AUT / World Championship bronze medallist in 2015 and 2016)

“I risked everything, but I knew I had to push it to the limit if I wanted to have a chance of winning. I could have done it if I hadn’t made a few small mistakes. But I’m over the moon with third place.”

Andi Langenhan (GER / Olympic fourth / 2013 World Championship silver medallist, 2008 and 2011 World Championship bronze medallist)

“That was a crazy race. It was my girlfriend’s birthday today, I spent the entire time on the phone to her and wanted to give her some good news, but there was nothing to report. And now I can dedicate this bronze medal to her. My run wasn’t great, but I can’t complain.”