Tatyana Ivanova, Roman Repilov and Eggert/Benecken out front

Altenberg (RWH) Russia’s Tatyana Ivanova, her compatriot Roman Repilov and the World Champions Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken (GER) start the new decade at the top of the Viessmann Luge World Cup standings. The first race of the new year takes place in the Saxon town of Altenberg, which will also host this winter’s IBSF World Championships in bobsleigh and skeleton. The 4th round of the Viessmann World Cup, following hot on the heels of Innsbruck (AUT), Lake Placid (USA) and Whistler (CAN), will therefore act as the organizers’ dress rehearsal for the World Championships.

With 21 national associations registered to compete, the Altenberg Luge World Cup has a World Championship feel to it. A total of 49 men, 42 women, 27 doubles pairs and 11 potential relay teams will battle for victory on Saturday and Sunday January 11-12, 2020. All of the major players are set to compete, and the women’s event in particular looks set to be a thriller. With two victories in Whistler, Tatyana Ivanova leapfrogged World Championship silver medallist Julia Taubitz to head the rankings. “I get to wear the yellow jersey as World Cup leader going into the new year,” the 28-year-old Russian said after her double success in Canada. Behind Taubitz, who is 17 points adrift of Ivanova, there is a huge margin of 94 points to Emily Sweeney from the USA in third.

The doubles duo of Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken and men’s singles leader Roman Repilov also have a comfortable cushion over their nearest rivals. The two-time World Champions from Germany have a 45-point advantage over their teammates Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt. Meanwhile, Repilov is 54 points ahead of Austria’s Sprint World Champion Jonas Müller. After the opening race of the Viessmann Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW in Innsbruck, European Champions Italy leads the standings ahead of the Austrian squad and defending champions Germany.