Tobogganist Taubitz on the podium

IIn the absence of the retired and paused Olympic champions Johannes Ludwig and Natalie Geisenberger, the German lugers, used to success, had to bow to strong competition at the start of the World Cup in Innsbruck. The Austrians won both doubles and women’s competitions on the first day. Only two podium places remained for the German team.

Overall World Cup winner Julia Taubitz (Oberwiesenthal) had to settle for third place behind winner and co-favourite Madeleine Egle (Austria), who set a track record, and American Emily Sweeney. The Austrian’s victory encourages Taubitz.

“I’m happy for them, but it’s also an encouragement for us. The pressure after the Olympics was already great. I was very nervous,” said the 25-year-old, who missed a medal at the Beijing Winter Games after a fall and only finished seventh. Olympic silver medalist Anna Berreiter finished fifth. “You have to beat the Austrians on their track first,” said national coach Norbert Loch.

World champions Jessica Degenhardt/Cheyenne Rosenthal (Altenberg/Winterberg) celebrated second place behind Austrian doubles Selina Egle/Lara Michaela Kipp in the women’s doubles event, which was held for the first time in the World Cup. “I’m super happy, we had two good runs,” said Degenhardt.

For the men, all podium places went to the Austrians. The overall World Cup winners Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken (Ilsenburg/Suhl) came fourth, the Olympic champions Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt (Berchtesgaden/Königssee) came fifth.