Whistler (pps) There’s simply no way around Felix Loch in the ice labyrinths. At the 44th World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Whistler, Canada, the 2010 Olympic Champion of Germany earned his fourth title after 2008, 2009 and 2012. He thus confirmed his dominance as the currently best luger in the world. Setting a new track record (48.133 seconds) already in the first run, Felix Loch took the top position among the 41 competitors right from the beginning.
Former European Champion Andi Langenhan of Germany, who won the bronze medals at the 2008 and 2011 World Championships, claimed silver. Johannes Ludwig (Germany), who set a new start record (6.932 seconds) in the first run, earned bronze - his first World Championship medal. Former World Champion David Moeller earned a fourth-place finish to complete Germany’s sweep of success. However, for the third time in a row Moeller failed to claim a World Championship medal.
Canadian Sam Edney finished in fifth-place, his so far best result at World Championships. Only 46 thousands of a second separated him from earning the silver medal. Apart from Miroslav Zajonc, born in Czechoslovakia, who surprisingly claimed a gold medal for Canada at the 1983 Worlds in Lake Placid (USA), Edney’s fifth place is the best result for the hosts at World Championships.
Now, 23-year old Felix Loch has more World Championship titles to his credit than his mentor Georg Hackl who won three Olympic gold medals but only three World Championship titles in the men’s singles. There is only record World Champion Armin Zoeggeler of Italy, having earned six titles at FIL Luge World Championships, who has more titles to his name than Loch. Zoeggeler did not compete in Whistler due to back problems.
The complete result lists can be downloaded at www.fil-luge.org
Quotes
Felix Loch (GER / 2010 Olympic Champion, World Champion in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013, European Champion in 2013, overall Viessmann Luge World Cup winner in 2011-2012)
“I like this track in Whistler a lot. I could well tease Georg Hackl now, saying I trumped him as far as World Championship titles are concerned. But that’s not the issue. Of course I’ve still got goals – I want to defend the overall World Cup crown and then there’s the Olympic test in Sochi at the end of the season. Well, and then the Olympic season is already looming on the horizon.”
Andi Langenhan (GER / 2012 European Champion, World bronze medalist in 2008 and 2011)
“I’m absolutely happy. Since the Olympic Games I’ve always had problems with this track, especially in the lower part. That’s why I haven’t failed to win gold – today I won the silver medal.”
Johannes Ludwig (GER / 2013 European bronze medalist) “I’m very pleased. Here in Whistler the start is even more important than on other tracks. And that’s my trump card.”
