Luge athletes Hannes Orlamünder and Paul Constantin Gubitz have won a World Cup doubles race for the first time. The duo prevailed on their home track in Oberhof with a lead of 0.014 seconds over record Olympic champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt. The six-time gold medallists had not made it onto the podium so far this season.
"That was a hell of a performance"
After their premiere success, Orlamünder and Gubitz, who both compete for Zella-Mehlis, were exuberantly celebrated. "Home track, home crowd - it couldn't have gone better," said Oralmünder. The duo had only ever won a World Cup race in the sprint World Cup, the Nations Cup or the relay. "That was a great performance. They skied superbly and were in a great position," said national coach Patric Leitner.
Record World Champion Toni Eggert finished sixth in his comeback season with his new partner Florian Müller, missing out on the podium for the first time this season. However, they defended their lead in the overall World Cup after three of nine races. "We have to do our homework better, of course we have a higher standard," said Eggert.
The women's doubles missed out on home victory. Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal were 0.261 seconds behind the Austrians Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp. Former individual world champion Dajana Eitberger came seventh with her new partner Magdalena Matschina. Elisa-Marie Storch and Paulien Patz came sixth.
