The rhythm of the Oberhof track swings Jonas Müller to victory

Oberhof (FIL/17. Feb.2024) Jonas Müller threw down the gauntlet to Max Langenhan in the battle for victory in the overall World Cup at the EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup in Oberhof. The Austrian won in 1:26.033 minutes. The 26-year-old set the best time in both runs. Nevertheless, it was close in the end. 

Langenhan, the dominator with five wins so far this season, was only 0.076 seconds behind, but also collected important points. The current standings are: Langenhan 740 points, Müller 579, so theoretically anything is still possible, but Müller is skeptical: "It will be difficult in the overall World Cup, Max is simply very strong. But of course I'll try to keep up and secure second place."
The German simply had the better start to the season.

Jonas Müller simply enjoyed the moment at the finish. "I love Oberhof, I like the rhythm of the track, it's exactly mine," said the two-time World Champion, who won the World Championship title on this track a year ago. "I'm particularly pleased with the good start time in the second run," he continued. It took 7.137 seconds from the trigger to the first light barrier. None of the 22 starters was that fast. He was almost euphoric as he thanked the Austrian technicians. "You can only achieve results like this by working together - with a good start, great driving and perfect technique," said Müller. There was also applause from his German competitor Felix Loch: "Jonas, he can simply do it in Oberhof. He slides very well here."
 

World Champion Max Langenhan was not satisfied with his performance on his home track. Especially not with the first run. "I was too slow at the start," he began to recount. It was 7.172 seconds. And then he didn't manage any flawless runs either. "That annoys me," he says, "without those mistakes it might have been enough." That's another reason why he says appreciatively: "In the end, Jonas is the deserved winner."

Felix Loch was satisfied with his third place. "Finally back on the podium," said the 14-time World Champion. It was only the third time on the podium this season for the luger, who is used to success. "It was a great race," was his summary, "two great starts, the first run wasn't quite what I expected. But the second, that's how it has to come, that's how it has to go. I am mega happy." 
Just a few hours after his victory in the doubles with partner Thomas Steu, Wolfgang Kindl narrowly missed out on another podium place with two great runs, finishing 0.365 seconds behind compatriot Müller. Latvian Kristers Aparjods, winner a week ago, finished fifth 0.408 seconds behind Dominik Fischnaller (Italy/0.446). 

After all the discussions following last weekend's strange races with braking incidents, the race management and jury were unanimously praised. Felix Loch said as a representative: "It was exactly the right decision to change the starting order. A lot of people are very happy with it. You can see it in the result, there was no wild braking action to get a better starting number in the second run. That's the way it should be."