Tatyana Ivanova crowned European Champion for third time

Sigulda (RWH) Tatyana Ivanova has clinched her third European Championship title in luge. Unfazed by last week’s proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, the Russian luger won the Viessmann World Cup in Sigulda, Latvia, simultaneously winning the 49th European Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) to add to her previous titles from 2010 and 2012. Silver went to Natalie Geisenberger (GER) and bronze to Italy’s Sandra Robatscher, the niece of record-breaking World Champion Armin Zöggeler.

Tatyana Ivanova has submitted an appeal to the CAS after being stripped of the Olympic silver medal she won in the team relay at Sochi in 2014 and the life-long ban from the Olympic Games handed down by the International Olympic Committee shortly before Christmas. The CAS ruling is expected on 2 February 2018. In early January, the Disciplinary Commission of the International Luge Federation (FIL) ruled that there was insufficient evidence to convict Ivanova of any wrongdoing, and imposed no sanctions.

Vancouver Olympic Champion Tatjana Hüfner lost any chance of a win when she crashed on her first run. Madeleine Egle (AUT), who won bronze at the Youth Olympic Games, dropped from third position to 20th overall following a mistake on her second run.

Natalie Geisenberger, who clinched overall victory in the Viessmann World Cup in Lillehammer, tops the standings with 1035 points. With six overall wins to her name, she is now the all-time record holder ahead of Sylke Otto (GER) and Tatjana Hüfner, both of whom have five overall wins to their name. Hüfner (695) is currently in second position, just a single point ahead of her teammate Dajana Eitberger, who finished fourth in Sigulda.

Quotes

Tatyana Ivanova (RUS / World Championship silver medallist 2012, World Championship bronze medallist 2016, European Champion 2010, 2012 and 2018):

“I’m really happy. I only managed three practice runs because I was in Lausanne. The situation with the CAS appeal in Switzerland and the European Championships was mentally challenging for me here. This gold medal is as precious as platinum to me.”

Natalie Geisenberger (GER / 2014 Olympic Champion, three-time World Champion):

“I managed to finish on the podium in all of the World Cup races this winter. This shows that I am in a good shape and a consistent performer. It was a great race. Sigulda is always pretty special, but I actually like racing here now because I relish the challenge.”

Sandra Robatscher (ITA / Junior World Championship silver medallist in 2014 and bronze medallist in the Junior World Championships 2015):

“I’m overwhelmed. I wasn’t expecting it at all. Practice was so tough for me. Now I’ve finally managed to get two good runs under my belt. I really rose to the occasion, so it’s a great feeling.”