Status: 02/19/2023 4:08 p.m
At the Luge World Cup in St. Moritz on Sunday (February 19, 2023), the German sleds provided the crowning glory. In the women’s singles, Dajana Eitberger won ahead of Julia Taubitz and Anna Berreiter. The German team relay provided the icing on the cake.
The German dominance in the ice channel is impressive and leaves the competition amazed. After three wins in three races on Saturday delivered the lugers on Sunday with a purely German podium.
Showdown for the crown in Winterberg
Dajana Eitberger grabbed the day’s victory. The Thuringian tobogganed from fifth place to victory at half time and thus maintained her theoretical chances of winning the overall World Cup. “It was very wild. I didn’t expect the three-man bob Germany I to strike again,” said Eitberger in the sports show.
In order for the World Cup crown to work out, Taubitz would have to fall off the sled in Winterberg. “I’m realistic about that, but I won’t admit defeat, otherwise I wouldn’t be there,” laughed Eitberger.
Julia Taubitz has the much better cards. The Saxon, who started the race with a proud lead of 105 points, should have finished ahead of Eitberger in order to be able to pop the corks on the penultimate World Cup weekend. That didn’t work.
Taubitz (4th after the first round) showed nerves and was unable to gain any time, especially in the lower part of the track. This means there will be a showdown for the overall World Cup in Winterberg next weekend. The disappointment was still limited: “It would have been great, but it’s okay if it stays exciting until the end,” said Taubitz, who is 90 points ahead in the last World Cup weekend.
Berreiter loses a place
Third, Anna Berreiter crowned the strong German performance. The newly crowned world champion was just behind the leading Latvian Kendija Aparjode after the first round, but Berreiter lost time and finished third. Aparjode dropped back from pole position to seventh.
Fräbel makes up a lot of places
The youngest German in the team, Merle Fräbel (19) from RT Suhl, also made it into the top ten and finished the race in sixth place. Fräbel had problems in the first round on the world’s only natural ice rink and was already well behind in eleventh place. In the final, the Thuringian improved and passed the Austrian Madeleine Egle, who was fourth overall and still had hopes of a podium finish in the overall World Cup.
Team relay provides the crowning glory
An all-round successful World Cup weekend made the German team relay perfect. Eitberger, Max Langenhan and the doubles Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt took the win in 2:51.30 minutes ahead of the USA (+0.25 seconds) and Austria (+0.42). “It was a very, very nice weekend,” said national coach Norbert Loch. “One can only be satisfied. The whole team delivered and deserved to win.”
With the second victory in the fifth of six team events this winter, Germany also extended its lead in the national ranking. Before the race, the German team was tied at the top with Latvia. However, the Latvian quartet missed the podium and lost 40 points. Before the World Cup finals next weekend in Winterberg, the German lugers now have the best chance of overall victory with 455 points.
Leitner remains coach of the German team
There was also a message of success off the ice channel. Patric Leitner remains coach of the German team and gave Austria a rejection. “We will not give our Leiti for any money in the world, dear Austrians!” Posted his protégé Felix Loch on Instagram. “You do your best every day, are amazing, loyal and most importantly a true friend,” Loch wrote.
The national coach was also more than relieved about the good news. “Of course, the foreign nations try to get close to our coaches. We are a strong team with strong coaches. Patrick was heavily courted. But I think he knows where his place is,” emphasized Loch and paid Leitner “the utmost respect for his decision “.
Source: sportschau.de