World Champion Loch takes first victory of the season in the Viessmann Luge World Cup

Altenberg (RWH) Felix Loch is back on form having clinched the world title. One week after winning his sixth title at the 48th World Championship of the International Association luge (FIL), the 29-year-old has now taken his first victory of the season in the Viessmann Luge World Cup. The Olympic Champion of 2010 and 2014 took his 39th singles win on the luge and bobsleigh track in Altenberg, just four thousandths of a second ahead of Austrian Reinhard Egger in second.

Egger had previously won the snowy race in Königssee  and was only narrowly beaten in similar weather conditions in Altenberg. Third was Loch’s teammate Johannes Ludwig.

The track was swept after every fifth sled on the first run due to the heavy snowfall. The judges only permitted the top 20 sleds to compete in the second heat, and the track was swept after every third starter.

After nine of twelve events, Johannes Ludwig (543) leads the overall standings, just six points ahead of Loch (537). Egger has now moved up to third on 520 points. 

Quotes

Felix Loch (GER / 2010 and 2014 Olympic Champion, six-time World Champion)

“I love driving in Altenberg. It’s simply perfect. It was very close, but I’m delighted it worked out so well. The weather wasn’t great this time either. I changed something on the sled before the first run, which was the right decision. I’m looking forward to the next race, it’s getting really exciting again.”

Reinhard Egger (AUT / World Championship silver medallist 2019)

“I like driving in deep snow. It’s a pity that it was so close. But to be honest, I had expected Felix to be faster. A margin of four thousandths of a second is hard to take, but he deserves it.”

Johannes Ludwig (GER / Olympic bronze medallist 2018)

“It will be close. I’m actually quite happy. The conditions were turbulent again, but I’m basically happy with how it went.”