Preview FIL World Cup Altenberg

Victory close at hand for Natalie Geisenberger and Felix Loch Suspense in luge doubles

The next prizes beckon: just one week after the medals won at the45th World Championships organized by the International Luge Federation (FIL), NatalieGeisenberger and Felix Loch of Germany look ready to collect the overall titles in theViessmann World Cup.

Last season’s overall winner in the women’s singles, who returns from the Latvian townof Sigulda having successfully defended her World Championship title, is on the brink offurther success, success that could be hers as early as the penultimate round of the raceseries in Altenberg (GER) February 21-22, 2015. And World Championship silvermedallist Felix Loch could secure the title in the men’s singles the same weekend.

Geisenberger, who has already won seven of the nine races so far this season, has atotal of 825 points and is looking good to collect the Joska Crystal Cup for the third timeafter 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The 27-year-old has a comfortable lead of 229 points asshe heads towards the final three races, two of which will be held in Altenberg(Viessmann World Cup and FIL Sprint World Cup). The final race of the season takesplace on the Olympic track in Sochi (RUS) on February 28 and March 1.

Yet despite her many victories, Geisenberger’s hunger for success is far from beingsatisfied. When asked in Sigulda whether she might not be a bit bored of winning all thetime, the Olympic Champion and two-time World Champion answered: "not me!"Geisenberger’s teammate Felix Loch will also be facing his first try for overall victory inthe Viessmann World Cup. The three-time Olympic Champion (men’s singles in 2010and 2014 and team relay in 2014) has hauled in 705 points so far this season. He isfollowed at a respectful distance by Italy’s Dominik Fischnaller with 492 points and ChrisMazdzer of the USA with 489 points. The new World Champion Semen Pavlichenko ofRussia will also be worth looking out for this weekend.

More suspense continues to be offered in the overall rankings for the luge doubles,where Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken have an advantage of just 55 points on formerand current World Champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt. "We’re pretty unlikely towin under our steam," says Tobias Wendl. But their first ever overall victory is likely to besmall comfort for Eggert–Benecken, who have taken either first or second in all of theViessmann World Cup races this season, but only finished fourth in the WorldChampionships.

Chris Mazdzer and Andris Šics confirmed as FIL’s athlete representatives

Sigulda (RWH) US luger Chris Mazdzer and Andris Šics of Latvia have been confirmedin office at the election of the athlete’s representatives of the International LugeFederation (FIL). The fact was announced by FIL President Josef Fendt at the teamcaptain’s meeting during the 45th FIL World Championships in the Latvian town ofSigulda.At the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the FIL will havean Athletes’ Commission comprising four athletes in the future, two of which will beselected from the artificial track and two from the natural track. One of the four memberswill be elected chair of the commission, and will be entitled to attend the meetings of theFIL Executive Board on a regular basis.

Russia collects all U23 gold medals

Sigulda (RWH) All U23 gold medals went to Russia: the new U23 FIL World Championsare Ekaterina Katnikova, Alexandr Peretjagin and Andrey Bogdanov–Andrey Medvedev.The titles were earned during the 45th World Championships organized by theInternational Luge Federation (FIL) in Sigulda.In the women’s singles, Ekaterina Katnikova came in ahead of US luger SummerBritcher and Russia’s Ekaterina Baturina. Silver in the doubles went to Florian Gruber–Simon Kainzwaldner of Italy and bronze to Jin-Yong Park–Jung Myung Cho from Korea,the first ever medal in luge for the country that will be hosting the Olympic Winter Gamesin PyeongChang in 2018. In the men’s singles, Riks Kristens Rozitis of Latvia andDominik Fischnaller of Italy followed Peretjagin into second and third, respectively.

For a schedule of Altenberg, and the overall standings of the Viessmann Luge World Cup, visit the FIL's website:http://www.fil-luge.org/index.php?id=461

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