Natalie Geisenberger’s claim to leadership in the women’s singles
Sigulda (pps) Numbers don’t lie: It was Germany’s Tatjana Huefner who has set the standard in women’s luge in the past five years. But in the 2012 calendar year she failed to achieve more than two victories in the Viessmann Luge World Cup series. Through four World Cup events in the pre-Olympic season, the Olympic and four-time World Champion is still without a top spot on the podium. In the second part of the 2011-2012 season, she claimed victories in Koenigssee and St. Moritz. In summary this adds up to two victories in 10 Viessmann World Cup events in the 2012 calendar year.
This is a rather sobering truth for a luge athlete who collected 31 Viessmann Luge World Cup victories since 2005. “Well, it’s not the end of the world,” commented Huefner. “It’s the addition of too many small mistakes. These mistakes just add up and that’s what is reflected in my two-run times.” The 29-year old added: “I need to analyze everything in detail.”
While the one is still brooding, the other is enjoying her current track record to the fullest. So far Natalie Geisenberger of Germany (photo), who claimed bronze medals at the 2010 Olympic Games and the 2012 Worlds and is decorated with three World Championship silver medals (2008, 2009 and 2011), has always been in the shadow of compatriot Huefner. But in the 2012 calendar year Geisenberger celebrated four of her altogether 12 individual victories. She has won two of the four World Cup events to date in the pre-Olympic season. “I’m really having fun at the moment. I’m greatly enjoying myself. Being on my sled I can’t seem to help myself – I’m grinning all the time,” disclosed the 24-year old, who is currently leading the overall World Cup rankings with 370 points to her credit.
Quite surprisingly, Geisenberger’s teammate Anke Wischnewski holds second place (315 points) in the overall rankings. After an eight-year long “break”, Wischnewski won the World Cup season opener in Innsbruck-Igls. “Everything’s working out right now. The sled’s set-up is fine. And hopefully, it’ll continue this way,” remarked the 34-year old.
Initially, European Champion Tatiana Ivanova of Russia sold herself at less than fair value – until the 21-year old claimed a World Cup victory in Sigulda, the second after her top podium finish in Paramonovo in 2012.
Apart from Ivanova it was Alex Gough, who once again lived up to her reputation as one of the toughest opponents the German women lugers have to face. The Canadian slider collected two third-place finishes and one fourth place before she returned home ahead of the Viessmann Luge World Cup in Sigulda (Latvia) to practice in Whistler. The Olympic track has new start heights for the women’s singles, doubles and Team Relay events. The big goal for the 25-year old Gough: the upcoming 44th World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) on February 1-2, 2013.
“Alex Gough and Tatiana Ivanova won’t make our lives easy on the way to the next Olympic Games,” explained Natalie Geisenberger. “But this is a challenge we’ll accept.”
