Steu/Koller take third win of the season

Altenberg (RWH) The Austrian pairing of Thomas Steu/Lorenz Koller have celebrated their third victory of the season in the Viessmann Luge World Cup on the luge and bobsleigh track in Altenberg. After two victories in the season opener and on their home track in Innsbruck, last weekend’s bronze medallists won a World Cup for the first time outside their home country.

Steu/Koller have moved up to second place in the standings because the Olympic Champions of 2014 and 2018, Germany’s Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt of Germany, made a mistake just after the start on their first run and ended up coming home in 19th place. Next at the top are the two-time World Champions Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken who came second in Altenberg. The Olympic bronze medallists have now amassed 810 points, while Steu/Koller are on 652 points and Wendl/Arlt have 598 points.

As in Sigulda, third place in Altenberg went to the Latvians Andris Sics/Juris Sics, who are fourth in the overall standings on 521 points.

Quotes

Toni Eggert (GER / 2017 and 2019 World Champion, 2018 Olympic bronze medallist)

“Other people set off fireworks when they come second. We can also be happy with a second place today.  We have extended our lead in the overall World Cup standings. The weather conditions were very difficult for everyone.”

Thomas Steu (AUT / World Championship bronze medallist in 2019, World Championship bronze medallist in Sprint in 2019, Olympic fourth)

“This is really cool. We hadn’t expected this after training. Everyone made mistakes in the race and we exploited that mercilessly so we deserved to win.”