Natalie Geisenberger gets New Year off to a winning start

Königssee (RWH) Natalie Geisenberger has started the New Year as she finished the old. The 2014 Olympic Champion took victory in the Viessmann World Cup on her home track in Königssee to kick off the 2018 Olympic year. It was her fifth victory of the season. The three-time World Champion finished ahead of her teammate Dajana Eitberger in second place on the oldest ice track in the world. Junior World Champion Jessica Tiebel put in an impressive performance in her World Cup debut to finish third.

The current World Champion Tatjana Hüfner had to sit out this event due to injury, but she hopes to be back in the squad for next weekend’s Viessmann World Cup in her elective home town of Oberhof.

Geisenberger has a commanding lead in the overall Viessmann World Cup rankings with 710 points. Dajana Eitberger is second (518) and Tatjana Hüfner third (515).

Quotes

Natalie Geisenberger (GER / 2014 Olympic Champion, three-time World Champion):

“It’s always great to win in front of my home crowd. I was hugely determined because I was really struggling. We spent a lot of time in the workshop trying to find the right setup and it paid off in the end.”
 

Dajana Eitberger (GER / 2015 European Champion):

“I had a bit of a wobble on the first run again and I just wanted to put my head in my hands on the straights. I’m so pleased for Jessica – she has done an amazing job standing in for the injured Tatjana Hüfner. I’m looking forward to my home race in Oberhof next weekend.”

Jessica Tiebel (GER / Junior World Champion 2017 and silver medallist at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games):

“It couldn’t have gone any better. I’m so happy, but let’s see what happens. I definitely want to defend my title as Junior World Champion. And maybe I’ll get another chance or two to compete in the World Cup.”