Second consecutive win for Semen Pavlichenko 

Sigulda (RWH): After taking his second successive victory in the Viessmann World Cup, the Russian Semen Pavlichenko is now favourite to win the World Championships. Two weeks ahead of the International Luge Federation’s (FIL) 47th World Championships (27 ‑ 29 January 2017) on the Olympic track in Innsbruck, the 2015 World Champion won his second race of the season in Sigulda, Latvia. Ten days ago, Pavlichenko secured both the Viessmann World Cup in Königssee and the title of European Champion.   

Fellow Latvia Roman Repilov finished in second and Austrian Wolfgang Kindl came in third. Felix Loch (GER), the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Champion and five-time World Champion, finished in fourth.   

Pavlichenko, the 2015 and 2017 European Champion, broke the three-year-old track record set by record-breaking World Champion Armin Zöggeler (ITA / 47.944) with a time of 47.837 seconds.  

Finishing in second place, Roman Repilov (RUS) defended his overall lead in the World Cup with 547 points. Semen Pavlichenko (515) has now moved into second place ahead of Austrian Wolfgang Kindl (506) and Felix Loch with 495 points. 

The Viessmann World Cup will take a break next weekend ahead of the International Luge Federation’s (FIL) 47th World Championships on the Olympic track in Innsbruck from 27 – 29 January 2017. 

Quotes  

Semen Pavlichenko (RUS / 2015 World Champion, 2015 and 2017 European Champion): 

“I'm really happy. I’m ready for the World Championships. I was nervous today and had to focus hard on the race.” 

Wolfgang Kindl (AUT / third in the 2015 and 2016 World Championships and runner-up in the 2010 European Championships) 

“If you want to win on this track, you first have to beat the Russians. That became very clear during training.” 

Felix Loch (GER, 2010 and 2014 Olympic Champion, five-times World Champion) 

“It looks like I will end up securing fourth or fifth place this season. Semen Pavlichenko is racing in a league of his own.”