Semen Pavlichenko is a four-time European Champion

Oberhof (RWH) Semen Pavlichenko has clinched his fourth European Championship title. The 2015 World Champion from Russia won the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Oberhof, which doubled as the 50th European Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL). His previous title wins came in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Silver went to his compatriot Roman Repilov, who had led after the first run. Bronze was claimed by Latvia’s Kristers Aparjods, who won gold at the 2016 Youth Olympics.

World Championship runner up Reinhard Egger of Austria missed out on bronze by 15 thousandths of a second. Johannes Ludwig (GER) took fifth to defend his lead in the overall standings. Oberhof marked the end of German Felix Loch’s winning streak. After eight wins in the Viessmann Luge World Cup and securing his first World Championship in Oberhof back in 2008, the two-time Olympic Champion had to settle for seventh place behind Olympic Champion David Gleirscher of Austria.

Some 4,000 spectators lined the second oldest artificial ice track in the world, including Minister President of Thuringia Bodo Ramelow.

The situation is tight at the top of the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup standings. Ahead of the season finale in Sochi (23-24 February 2019) Ludwig leads on 598 points, just ahead of Pavlichenko (588), Loch (583), and Egger (580).

Quotes

Semen Pavlichenko (RUS / four-time European Champion, World Champion 2015)

“I’m really happy. European Champion for the fourth time and on a German track. That is something very special. I think Oberhof is now my home track.”

Roman Repilov (RUS / overall winner in 2016/ 2017, World Championship silver medallist in 2017)

“I’m disappointed. Semen has been European Champion so many times, he could have given me a turn. Joking aside, it’s good that Semen won.”

Krister Aparjods (LAT / Youth Olympic Champion 2016)

“This is my first medal in the senior competition. When Armin Zöggeler described me as the coming man in the men’s singles after the Youth Olympics in 2016, I was really pleased to hear praise like that from such an illustrious athlete. I hope I can meet those expectations. This medal is certainly a start.”