Weather ensures varied podiums at the World Championship sprint

Altenberg (FIL/26 Jan 2024) What variety at the start of the 52nd FIL Luge World Championships in Altenberg: Athletes from five countries took the titles in the four sprint competitions. And none of last year's winners managed to defend their titles. However, this was largely due to withdrawals and external circumstances. At plus seven degrees and sometimes heavy rain, the ice suffered greatly.

In the women's single, Julia Taubitz (Germany) won the second sprint title of her career, her fourth World Championship gold overall. David Gleirscher (Austria) triumphed in the men's event. Martins Bots spoke of luck with the starting number, saying that he and his partner Roberts Plume (Latvia) were the fastest doubles. In the women's doubles, the Italians Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer were in front.

Julia Taubitz was beaming at the finish. And not just because of her own performance, which gave her her fourth World Championship gold, but also because of second-placed Natalie Maag (Switzerland). "Together with Natalie on the podium at a World Championship, it almost doesn't get any better than this," said the 27-year-old. If Maag had been 0.072 seconds faster, she would have achieved the same feat as her compatriot Martina Kocher in 2016. She had surprisingly become Sprint World Champion at Königssee. "World Championship silver - it's incredible, I don't know what to say," said the 26-year-old. Elina Vitola had a similar experience. It was also the Latvian's first World Championship medal. "I saw Martins (Bots) and Roberts (Plume) win before my run, which of course motivated me and I went into the race with a big grin on my face." She was 0.111 seconds slower than the winner Taubitz. Behind the US-American Ashley Farquharson (0.131 seconds back) followed her compatriot Kenija Aparjode (0.152) ahead of Sandra Robatscher (Italy)/0.170).

In the men's race, David Gleirscher was once again on hand. The 29-year-old Austrian has won just one World Cup race, but is an Olympic champion and now a two-time world champion. "Apparently I'm the man for the big races," he said with a big grin on his face, "my team-mates had already said beforehand that I'd certainly be at my best at the World Championships because things weren't going so well for me in the World Cup." That worked out great in the sprint. Even Max Langenhan couldn't do anything against Gleirscher's 33.001 seconds. The World Cup dominator from Germany was 0.071 seconds slower. "We're an outdoor sport, sometimes it gets difficult," he said succinctly. In the end, it was enough for silver ahead of Kristers Aparjods (Latvia/0.123 back) and Felix Loch (Germany/0.163). 

Even before the race, Altenberg was one of the favorite tracks of Martins Bots and Roberts Plume. They were also lucky with the weather. And a good setup. They needed 27.863 seconds for their run. "We won't change much for tomorrow's race," said Plume. And beamed with joy with Wolfgang Kindl. The Austrian is competing for the first time this season in the double with Thomas Steu and has already decorated himself with World Championship silver (0.032). "To start with a medal at the first World Championships is mega cool," he said. It could have been gold, but a driving mistake cost him time. "Of course you don't want to make mistakes like that, it cost us gold," said an annoyed Steu, "but I'm still mega-happy, it's a great result in our first season." Juri Gatt and Riccardo Schöpf were also delighted with their third place (0.110). "Winning a medal is extremely valuable," said Schöpf, "because we are still young and still have a lot to learn." They were followed by two Italian doubles: Ivan Nagler/Fabian Malleier (0.135) ahead of Emanuel Rieder/Simon Kainzwaldner (0.169).

Surprised by their victory were their compatriots Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer (28.412 seconds).  "We never expected that," said Vötter. But Oberhofer put the success into perspective: "The weather and our early start number probably helped us a little today." Gold remains gold. The four Latvians who won the other two medals were even more incredulous. Anda Upite and Zane Kaluma took silver (0.017) ahead of Marta Robezniece and Kitija Bogdanova (0.046). The Americans Maya Chan and Reannyn Weiler (0.061) had also not expected to finish so far ahead. In complete contrast to Dajana Eitberger and Saskia Schirmer (0.085). "Unfortunately, we didn't hit the mark, but we're still learning," said Eitberger, who won the individual sprint title at the World Championships a year ago in Oberhof.