Calgary (pps) The defending Viessmann Luge World Cup champions Tobias Wendl-Tobias Arlt of Germany repeated last year’s success in Calgary, Canada. Taking their first World Cup victory this season, they defeated Olympic and World champions Andreas Linger-Wolfgang Linger of Austria (0.032 seconds behind) to second place. The German doubles with Toni Eggert-Sascha Beneken (0.168 seconds behind) took third place.
At the American-Pacific Championships the gold medal in the doubles went to the US team with Matthew Mortensen-Preston Griffall, who claimed a fifth place in the World Cup. Canada’s Tristan Walker-Justin Snith earned the silver medal, who posted a career-best World Cup result, finishing in sixth postion. Christian Niccum-Jayson Terdiman (USA) took bronze.
With a total of 255 points, Linger-Linger are currently heading the overall Viessmann Luge World Cup rankings ahead of compatriots Peter Penz-Georg Fischler (211), who finished in 15th position in Calgary. Wendl-Arlt are third with 210 points to their credit.
Quotes
Tobias Wendl (GER / 2008 World runner-up and defending champion in the Viessmann Luge World Cup)
“We like it here in Calgary. Already in the training runs we realized that we had a good speed. This victory is a very nice Christmas present. And slowly but surely we are getting our new material perfect.”
Andreas Linger
(AUT / 2006 and 2010 Olympic champion; 2003 and 2011 World champion)
“A podium finish in Calgary – that’s what we wanted to achieve for quite some time now. And this time we showed a good performance. The two Tobias', however, have well earned their victory, even though it was a close call. We now have all the possible bibs there are combined – Olympic champions, World champions and the one as World Cup leaders. That’s a great Christmas present.” Toni Eggert
(GER / 4th in the overall World Cup 2010/2011)
“We took fifth place in Igls, fourth in Whistler and now we finished in third position. It would be just great to continue this upward trend because then we would be on the top spot of the podium at the World Cup in Oberhof... But seriously, we were good at the start and our sled is fine. And as long as it falls into place like this we just have to slide straight down the track.”
