Sigulda (pps) After 22 years, the winner of the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup again comes from Germany. At the eighth of nine events of the World Cup series in Sigulda, Latvia, Felix Loch claimed his sixth season's victory and thus earned the "Joska" Crystal Award for the overall winner. Thus, the 2010 Olympic Champion succeeds his mentor Georg Hackl, who earned the overall World Cup crown in the 1989-1990 season.
There is now only one luge title missing in the collection of three-time World Champion Loch - the European Championship title. The 22-year old athlete will have the chance to iron out this "shortcoming" at the World Cup final in Paramonovo, Russia, next weekend. At the same time, the 2012 European Championship title will be awarded in Paramonovo.
On the artificially-refrigerated track in the Baltic state Loch improved his ranking from a fifth place in the first run to first place. Italy's Armin Zoeggeler, who finished in second position (0.053 seconds behind), narrowly missed to claim his 55th victory in the Viessmann Luge World Cup. Latvia's Inars Kivlenieks earned the bronze medal. It was his first ever podium finish.
With a total of 745 points to his credit, Felix Loch has the absolute top spot on the overall rankings and cannot be replaced any more. Teammate David Moeller (557 points) is on second position ahead of compatriot Andi Langenhan (517).
Quotes
Felix Loch (GER / 2010 Olympic Champion as well as 2008, 2009 and 2012 World Champion)
"It almost seems as if Sigulda will be my new favorite track. Last year I finished on 14th position here. It's a really perfect season for me. I've celebrated one success after the other In the World Cup - with two exceptions - and I took the World Championship title. It doesn't really get much better than that."
Armin Zoeggeler
(ITA / two-time Olympic and six-time World Champion)
"This is annoying. I have to blame myself. I made a mistake in the upper part of the track. It depends on my health if I'll continue my career in luge. But in any event I'll have a look at the track in Sochi. And then I'll take a decision."
