Altenberg (pps) In a veritable show of strength Germany’s Olympic Champion Tatjana Huefner took the title at the 43rd Luge World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Altenberg, Germany. The 28-year-old luger, who races in a league of her own, thus claimed her fourth gold medal after 2007, 2008 and 2011. She is now tied with record World Champions Margit Schumann of the former GDR (1973, 1974, 1975 and 1977) and compatriot Sylke Otto (2000, 2011, 2003 and 2005).
As the first competitor to race, Tatjana Huefner set a new track record, clocking a time of 52.183 seconds. But Russia’s European Champion Tatiana Ivanova countered with a picture perfect run, improving the record to 52.161 seconds. In the second run Huefner then turned the tables again, setting the fastest time. After the two runs the sports soldier had a winning margin of 0.101 seconds over the Russian student. Four days prior to her 21st birthday Tatiana Ivanova, who suffered a broken middle finger of the right hand at the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Oberhof, treated herself to the best birthday present when she claimed silver.
Bronze went to Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger (0.403 seconds behind), who had earned three successive silver medals at World Championships. Canadian Alex Gough (0.437 seconds behind) posted a fourth-place result. Behind the two German lugers Corinna Martini and Anke Wischnewski on fifth and sixth place respectively, Dayna Clay of Canada accomplished a very good seventh place.
Quotes
Tatjana Huefner
(GER / 2010 Olympic and four-time World Champion)
“It feels great to be mentioned in the same breath as those great lugers Margit Schumann and Sylke Otto. I absolutely wanted to attack in the second run. However not to defeat Tatiana Ivanova but to take the title. During Tatiana’s run I haven’t been able to watch her on the monitor.”
Tatiana Ivanova
(RUS / 2010 European Champion, fourth at the 2010 Olympic Games)
“I’m simply very happy. After I suffered a broken finger I never reckoned with such a result. I gritted my teeth at the start.”
Natalie Geisenberger
(GER / 2010 Olympic bronze medallist, three-time World runner-up)
“These were the toughest World Championships for me. As late as last night Georg Hackl and Felix Loch tinkered with my sled. And I want to thank them for their help.”
