German Women Sweep Luge Opener in Innsbruck

November 18, 2017 ken Luge News, News 0

From Innsbruck, AUT

(Nov. 18, 2017) It was a dominant start to the 2017/2018 FIL World Cup opener in Innsbruck for Germany, with the German women sweeping the podium an putting all four women in the top five.

It looked like it was going to be tough goings for Germany at first, with two of the four Germans outside of the podium, and American Erin Hamlin contending for a gold. Hamlin, who came into the second run less than a tenth of a second off the lead, hit the wall at the start of her second run and plummeted through the field.

Hamlin’s troubles relieved the pressure from leader Natalie Geisenberger, who cruised to a gold medal in the season opener ahead of her teammates Dajana Eitberger and Tatjana Hüfner. Neither Eitberger or Hüfner were in the top three coming into the second run, but strong runs coupled with trouble for Hamlin moved them into medal position.

Alex Gough of Canada put together two very solid runs to finish fourth, just ahead of Julia Taubitz on the fourth German sled in fifth. Italian Andrea Vötter finished sixth.

Emily Sweeney led the American charge in 14th place, while Hamlin had to settle for 21st. Summer Britcher had trouble in Nations Cup qualifying and failed to make the race.

Kimberley McRae finished eighth to round out a solid Canadian effort.

Results:

Pos Name Nation Bib Start 1 Start 2 Run 1 Run 2 Total
1 Natalie Geisenberger GER 22 2.117 2.117 40.227 40.211 1:20.448
2 Dajana Eitberger GER 24 2.102 2.103 40.439 40.222 1:20.661
3 Tatjana Hüfner GER 23 2.055 2.030 40.474 40.190 1:20.664
4 Alex Gough CAN 13 2.088 2.093 40.380 40.325 1:20.705
5 Julia Taubitz GER 20 2.100 2.115 40.361 40.391 1:20.752
6 Andrea Vötter ITA 12 2.134 2.129 40.450 40.338 1:20.788
7 Ekaterina Baturina RUS 15 2.073 2.070 40.452 40.429 1:20.881
8 Kimberley McRae CAN 19 2.095 2.097 40.482 40.474 1:20.956
9 Viktoriia Demchenko RUS 10 2.112 2.112 40.539 40.429 1:20.968
10 Ulla Zirne LAT 11 2.145 2.147 40.551 40.418 1:20.969
11 Miriam Kastlunger AUT 14 2.126 2.130 40.497 40.473 1:20.970
12 Birgit Platzer AUT 18 2.110 2.141 40.517 40.447 1:20.994
13 Madeleine Egle AUT 6 2.113 2.113 40.491 40.540 1:21.031
14 Emily Sweeney USA 7 2.131 2.132 40.503 40.542 1:21.045
15 Nina Zöggeler ITA 5 2.131 2.131 40.532 40.530 1:21.062
16 Raluca Straaturaru ROU 9 2.122 2.139 40.571 40.497 1:21.068
17 Verena Hofer ITA 3 2.125 2.126 40.601 40.492 1:21.093
18 Eliza Cauce LAT 16 2.110 2.125 40.576 40.580 1:21.156
19 Aileen Christina Frisch KOR 1 2.110 2.124 40.645 40.561 1:21.206
20 Sandra Robatscher ITA 8 2.104 2.107 40.659 40.611 1:21.270
21 Erin Hamlin USA 17 2.105 2.216 40.330 40.946 1:21.276
22 Hannah Prock AUT 2 2.121 2.131 40.813 40.530 1:21.343
23 Martina Kocher SUI 4 2.121 2.114 40.935 40.569 1:21.504
24 Tatyana Ivanova RUS 21 2.079 2.077 40.480 41.398 1:21.878