Sigulda (pps) Olympic und World Champion Armin Zöggeler remains the best luge athlete of the world. Winning his fourth title in February 2003 the Italian repeated the victory at the season`s opener in Viessmann Luge World Cup in Sigulda (Latvia). It was his 22nd victory in Luge World Cup.
Zöggeler clocked in one minute 38,385 seconds followed by two Austrians. Second place went to Rainer Margreiter (1:38,579), Markus Kleinheinz (1:38,622) finished third.
USA`s Tony Benshoof, second after the first run, had a mistake in the second run and finished on 8th place (1:38,766).

Quotes:

Armin Zöggeler (Olympic Champion 2002):
"This wa a good start. The key has been two good runs. I don`t know yet, which aim is more important: the overall World Cup or the World Championsships. But I would prefer the World Championsships."

Rainer Margreiter (bronze medalist 2003):
"I am a little bit surpised, because after two crashes during practise in Oberhof/Germany I lost my security. But I like this track in Sigulda and was very confident."

Markus Kleinheinz (World Cup Champion 2003):
"This third place is okay. Winning the overall title last year I would like to realize a big title like World Champion or European Champion or even more."