Luge rider Dajana Eitberger (Ilmenau) won the “race” of the German returnees and celebrated her first victory after the baby break. The 29-year-old prevailed on Saturday at her home World Cup in Oberhof and relegated Olympic champion Natalie Geisenberger (Miesbach) to second place by 72 thousandths of a second. Latvian Kendija Aparjode took third place.
Eitberger and Geisenberger had both suspended the previous season due to a pregnancy, and only returned to the World Cup at the end of November – but they set the pace at the international top again.
“I was crying with joy when I was out on the run,” said Eitberger, who was very emotional about her success: “I’m overwhelmed. The story behind this victory is special. To have found connections again and even to be at the top makes me incredibly proud. “
Geisenberger was also proud of the fact that “the pregnancy, the birth and then this double task as mother and competitive athlete. We reported very well after the baby breaks and are much, much further than many would have thought.”
Eitberger now managed the first victory ahead of the former dominator Geisenberger, the Bavarian is more consistent: In the fourth race it was fourth, second place, Geisenberger clearly leads the overall standings with 340 points. Overall World Cup winner Julia Taubitz (Oberwiesenthal), who was only tenth on Sunday, is second with 291 points. Eitberger follows just one meter behind.
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