Felix Loch can only defeat himself
Record World Champion Armin Zoeggeler will not compete
Whistler (pps) Celebrating victories in the Viessmann Luge World Cup Felix Loch incidentally improved the track records in Innbruck-Igls, Altenberg and Oberhof. Much to his own surprise he even set a start record on the artificially iced track in Thuringia. Without a shadow of a doubt - defending Champion Loch of Germany is the absolute top favorite in the men’s singles event at the 44th World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in Whistler, Canada.
As a matter of fact, since earning the gold medal in 2010 the 23-year old also holds the track record (48.168 seconds) on the former Olympic layout. Obviously, the current Viessmann Luge World Cup leader is the only one who might defeat himself. But this is what he did in Sigulda, Latvia, when he was leading until the very last split time and a mistake in the last curve then set him back to third place. It comes as no surprise, that the three-time World Champion is full of self-confidence. “If everything’s going according to plan and the set-up of the sled is okay – well, then it should be good enough to take the podium’s top stop.”
In his venture to defend the title, Loch has lost the only competitor who was able to take away the World Championship title in 2011. Italy’s Armin Zoeggeler, record World Champion with six gold medals to his name – the last time on his home track in Cesana two years ago – and two-time Olympic Champion, will not compete in Canada. “I’m not in a fit state of health, especially with regard to my back problems. This is why I can’t compete,” explained Zoeggeler, 2010 Olympic bronze medalist in Whistler, at the World Cup in Winterberg.
With the exception of 2006 Olympic silver medalist Albert Demchenko of Russia, fourth at the 2010 Olympic Games and World silver medalist last year, Loch’s strongest opponents are his teammates. While thanks to Loch’s mistake, the victory in Sigulda more or less fell into the lap of the 41-year old Russian luger. Andi Langenhan and David Moeller defeated “local hero” Loch on the artificially refrigerated track in Koenigssee, of all places.
Two-time World Champion Moeller just ended a four-year long “drought” when he claimed his first podium top spot in Koenigssee. The 2010 Olympic silver medalist had to wait for a victory after capturing the pre-Olympic test in Whistler in February 2009. “I like the Whistler track,” said Moeller, who also won the “rehearsal” for the Worlds in Winterberg.
Langenhan is always good for a surprise. “I’ve always had these ups and downs,” he said. Another German medal contender is Johannes Ludwig, who earned bronze at the Europeans in Oberhof, his first international medal. At the Viessmann Luge World Cup last year he took second place behind Loch. With a start record, by the way, which is typical for Ludwig.
