Germany Edges Latvia in Oberhof Relay

From Oberhof, GER

(February 11, 2024) – Germany rallied from behind to win the penultimate FIL World Cup Team Relay of the 2023/2024 season in Oberhof.

Italy grabbed the lead Romania, from the previous week’s bronze medalists, and held it for one run until Latvia took over on the strength of strong slides by the weekend’s men’s luge gold medalist Kristers Aparjods and women’s doubles team Anda Upite and Kitija Bogdanova.

The United States was unable to keep pace with either Latvia and Italians and fell to what would eventually be fifth. Following the Americans were Team Austria, led by Madeleine Egle and the doubles team of Thomas Steu and Wolfgang Kindl. However, a couple of issues late left the Austrians a tenth behind Latvia.

The final team off the top was the World Cup leading Germany. Merle Fräbel led off in her first career World Cup, and was followed by Hannes Orlamünder and Paul Gubitz also in their first relay. At the halfway point, Germany found themselves behind Latvia and Austria. A big run by Max Langenhan got Germany back close, but still behind. But Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal brought the team all the way back and then some to win by .15 over Latvia.

The win for Germany was their third of the season, while Latvia’s silver was their second medal in as many weeks. Austria’s bronze was their third medal in four races.

Italy and the United States rounded out the top five.

With one race to go in the 2023/2024 season Germany holds a 40 point lead in the World Cup standings. Austria is second, and the United States third. Germany can clinch the season title with a fourth place finish in Sigulda.

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