THREE CANADIANS CRACK THE TOP-15 AT LUGE WORLD CUP IN PARK CITY
Lauscher, who won Canada's first ever World Cup silver medal, and finished 10th at the Torino Olympics, will race a condensed schedule prior to the holiday break this season, competing only in the North American events and will race full-time after the holidays when the top international luge circuit travels to Europe.
Alex Gough of Calgary continues to turn heads with her impressive performance. Gough, who is the youngest member of the Canadian squad at 19-years-old, was 17th after the first run but posted the 9th fastest time of the second heat (44.210) moving up five spots in the final standings to finish 12th with a time of 1:28.498. Teammate Meaghan Simister of Regina rounded out the Canadian women crossing the line in 21st place (1:29.207).
It was no big surprise to see the German women dominate the podium again today, marking their 66th consecutive Luge World Cup victory. It also marked the 30th gold medal performances by Silke Kraushaar-Pielach of Germany, who flew down the track in a time of 1:27.268 ahead of fellow German Silke Otto who claimed the silver in 1:27.533. Anke Wischnewski completed the podium sweep for Germany with a time of 1:27.725.
Meanwhile, in men’s action, Calgary’s Jeff Christie led the Canadian contingent with a solid 12th place finish. Coming off a disappointing 25th place in the opening World Cup in Italy, the 23-year-old slider, who finished 14th at his first Olympics in Torino, has consistently been Canada's men's singles leader on the World Cup but struggled to find his form this season. Today’s result is promising leading up to the World Cup in Calgary next week.
Christie was not the only Canadian man to turn in a solid result. Calgarians Sam Edney and Ian Cockerline both posted top-20 finishes, 17th and 19th respectfully. Both will be looking to improve those results next week when they host the world on their home track.
Italy’s Armin Zoeggler took one step closer to the record books by claiming his 32 victory on the World Cup circuit, just one shy of current record holders Markus Prock (Austria) and Gregory Hackl (Germany). The Olympic champion won the gold in a time of 1:30.112. German David Moeller took the silver with a time of 1:30. 217 and Switzerland’s Stefan Hohner won the bronze in 1:30.348, the best Swiss result in Luge World Cup history.
The Viessman Luge World Cup continues next week in Calgary, Alta. Come cheer on the Canadian National Luge Team as the take on the world on their home track.
The Canadian Luge Association is the governing body for luge racing in Canada. In partnership with CODA, the Canadian Luge Association operates the Olympic Luge Training Centre at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, which develops our nation’s high-performance luge athletes and promotes the sport across the country. For more information on the Canadian Luge Association, please visit us at www.luge.ca on the Internet.
Complete Results: www.fil-luge.org
Women’s Singles Top-Five:
1.Silke Kraushaar-Pielach, GER, 1:27.268; 2. Sylke Otto, GER, 1:27.533; 3. Anke Wischnewski, GER, 1:27.725; 4. Tatjana Hufner, GER, 1:27.284; 5.Nina Reithmayar, USA, 1:27.884
Canadian Results:
9. Regan Lauscher, Red Deer, Alta., 1:28.285; 12. Alex Gough, Calgary, 1:28.498; 21. Meaghan Simister, Regina, 1:29.207
Men’s Singles Top-Five:
1. Armin Zoeggler, ITA, 1:30.112; 2. David Moeller, GER, 1:30.217; 3. Stefan Hohner, SUI, 1:30.348; 4. Reinhold Rainer, ITA, 1:30.494; 5. Johannes Ludwig, GER, 1:30.663
Canadian Results:
12. Jeff Christie, Calgary, Alta., 1:30.986; 17. Sam Edney, Calgary, Alta., 1:31.226; 19. Ian Cockerline, Calgary, Alta., 1:31.560; 25. Matt McMurray, Calgary, Alta., 1:32.362; 30. Nick Olson, Calgary, Alta., 1:54.822
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Canadian Luge Association
T: 403-470-9546