Wendl/Arlt claim third European Championship in doubles

Oberhof (RWH) The Olympic Champions Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt have added yet another title to their extensive trophy collection. Following on from their previous wins in 2015 and 2017, the Olympic Champions of 2014 and 2018 have clinched a third European title in doubles.

The three-time World Champions relegated their compatriots Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken to second place on their home track at the penultimate round of the Viessmann Luge World Cup of the post-Olympic winter, which also doubles as the 50th European Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL). Third place and European Championship bronze went to the Latvian pairing of Andris Sics/Juris Sics, the Olympic silver medallists in 2010 and Olympic bronze medallists in 2014.

Ahead of the season finale in Sochi (23-24 February 2019), Eggert/Benecken retain their lead in the overall standings of the Viessmann Luge World Cup on 895 points, well ahead of the Austrians Thomas Steu/Lorenz Koller (712) who finished fourth in Oberhof. Wendl/Arlt are in third (698). In Sochi, World Cup points will be awarded in the Viessmann Luge World Cup and BMW Sprint World Cup.

Oberhof, the second oldest artificial ice track in the world, is bidding to host the 51st World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in 2023. The championships will be awarded at the FIL Congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in June 2019.

Quotes

Tobias Arlt (GER, Olympic Champion 2014 and 2018, three-time World Champion, European Champion in 2015, 2017 and 2019)

“Massive congratulations to the track staff who have done a great job.”

Tobias Wendl (GER, Olympic Champion 2014 and 2018, three-time World Champion, European Champion in 2015, 2017 and 2019)

“It’s great fun driving here in Oberhof. The spectators really help to push you over the line.”

Toni Eggert (GER / 2017 and 2019 World Champion, 2018 Olympic bronze medallist, European Champion 2013, 2016 and 2018)

“If you’d asked me ahead of the season whether I’d prefer to win the World Cup or World Championship title, I’d have said the overall World Cup. But overall victory isn’t in the bag yet. You don’t always get a perfect run, this is racing after all.”

Andris Sics (LAT / Olympic silver medallist in 2010 and Olympic bronze medallist in 2014)

“Winning a medal at European Championships is always good. It is very important for us. I can clearly remember my first European Championships in 2004, before I was competing with my brother. But Oberhof was a real experience back then, and is still great today. It is the best track in the world and always in perfect condition.”