YOG gold for Latvian Kristers Aparjods

Lillehammer (RWH)  Latvian Kristers Aparjods has lived up to his billing as favourite at the Youth Olympic Games. The current Junior World Championship silver medallist relegated German Paul-Lukas Heider to second place on the 1994 Olympic track in Lillehammer (NOR). Bronze went to Canadian luger Reid Watts.The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach from Germany, attended the completion together with the President of the International Luge federation (FIL), Josef Fendt from Germany.

Aparjods had won silver behind Russia’s Roman Repilov at the Junior World Championships in Winterberg last week. Repilov himself took a surprise silver medal at the European Championships in Altenberg (GER) this weekend.

Kristers Aparjods (LAT)

 "it's unbelievable. I feel fantastic. I had some little mistakes that I knew I had to clean up for the race and I'm glad I was able to fix them."

Paul Lukas Heider (GER)

"It's amazing! I can't believe it! My training was so bad yesterday. It was such a great feeling when I came up the outrun and saw my time. I knew I would get a medal."

Reid Watts (CAN)

 "I'm feeling great. Super happy with the race.i had a really good week of training, very solid runs. I'm glad I could transfer that to the race today."