Koenigssee (pps) As befits a World Champion, Natalie Geisenberger of Germany started the New Year with a victory. At the sixth stop of the Viessmann Luge World Cup series in Koengissee, Germany, the 25-year old celebrated her sixth season victory. Still undefeated in the 2013-2014 season, she thus earned her 22nd career victory.

On the world’s oldest artificially refrigerated track, however, the 2010 Olympic bronze medalist had to set a new track record (50.202 seconds), to keep team mate Tatjana Huefner, Olympic and four-time World Champion, at bay who was in top position after the first run. Huefner eventually earned a second place finish ahead of Alex Gough of Canada.

It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Geisenberger will earn her second overall World Cup title after 2012-2013. She is currently leading the overall standings with an advantage of 199 points. This is why she could prematurely earn the overall victory in the Viessmann Luge World Cup already next weekend in Oberhof (Germany). Alex Gough, with 401 points to her credit, is in second position ahead of Huefner (391 points) in third place.

Quotes

Natalie Geisenberger (GER / 2013 World Champion, bronze medalist at the 2010 Olympic Games)

“After I botched the first run completely I had only one thought – to win the race here in front of a home crowd. Claiming the sixth victory in the sixth race wasn’t the important issue. It was only a question of winning here in Koenigssee.”

Tatjana Huefner (GER / Olympic and four-time World Champion)

“I’m really annoyed about my mistake in the second run.”

Alex Gough (CAN / Bronze Medalist World Championships 2013)

“Koenigssee has turned into a kind of home event for us Canadians because our head coach Wolfgang Staudinger comes frome here. And this is the reason why I'm always successful here."