Winterberg (pps) The International Luge Federation, FIL, saved the best for the final. In addition to suspense in the men’s and doubles’ events the final of the Viessmann Luge World Cup at Winterberg next weekend will also see the première of a so-called „pit lane“ at the start and track markings on the ice. And the Winterberg bob track will entertain the crowds with animations at the Kreisel that was well received by the more than 10,000 spectators on the past two weekends during the European Bob-sleigh Championships and the Women’s World Bobsleigh Championship.
A visit to the track will also pay off on the upcoming weekend. The final of the Viess-mann Luge World Cup has never been so exciting in the men’s and doubles’ events as this year.
Austria’s Markus Kleinheinz for the first time or Germany’s Georg Hackl for the third time, that’s the question in the men’s singles. Germany’s Patric Leitner-Alexander Resch and Americans Mark Grimmette-Brian Martin are the candidates with a chance to win the overall World Cup in the doubles.
Kleinheinz has a lead of 35 points from the three-time Olympic champion before the final. In the doubles, the American Olympic silver medallists are just twelve points ahead of the German Olympic champions. If Hackl wins on his favourite track on which he won the first of his altogether three World titles in 1989, then Kleinheinz must finish at least third in order to retain his top position. In the doubles Leitner and Resch must win to defend their World Cup title successfully.
In the women’s event Germany’s Olympic champion Sylke Otto has already been determined as the new World Cup champion since the Viessmann Luge World Cup at Innsbruck-Igls.
ARD broadcasts live from Winterberg – Summary on Eurosport
Winterberg (pps) Luge fans can watch the final of the Viessmann Luge World Cup at Winterberg on the public German TV station ARD as well as on Eurosport next weekend. ARD will broadcast live on Saturday (9.45-16.30 hrs CET) and Sunday (10.00-17.00 hrs CET) within its sports shows „Sportsschau live“ from Winterberg. Eurosport will show summaries on Saturday (20.00-20.30 hrs CET) and Sunday (18.30-19.00 hrs CET).

At the centre: Markus Kleinheinz
Winterberg (pps) He was twice World junior champion but has always been over-shadowed by record World Cup champion Markus Prock. Now Austria’s Markus Kleinheinz is on the point to succeed his famous fellow-countryman. Kleinheinz has a 35-point lead from his hottest contender, Germany’s Georg Hackl, before the final event. The 26-year-old from Stubaital must finish at least in third position in order to win the overall World Cup for the first time in his career.
„Kleinheinz has long since become a serious contender“, Georg Hackl praises his rival who competes with the sled of his retired compatriot Markus Prock. “This sled has a much better pull“, Kleinheinz described the difference to his old sled. With the new sled he achieved his first ever World Cup victory at Altenberg this season. Kleinheinz owes his top position to his consistency finishing five times runner-up.

Viessmann Luge World Cup as varied as never before
Winterberg (pps) The current season of the Viessmann Luge World Cup has proved as varied as never before. In the men’s event there were four different winners; Georg Hackl (Park City, Lillehammer and Igls), Armin Zoeggeler (Calgary), Albert Demtschenko (Oberhof) and Markus Kleinheinz (Altenberg). In the doubles there were even five different duos with at least one World Cup victory. Only in the women’s event the domination of Germany is continuing with now 66 wins in a row.

All winners this season:
Women Men Doubles
Park City Sylke Otto/GER Georg Hackl/GER Grimmette/Martin/USA
Calgary Sylke Otto Armin Zoeggeler/ITA Leitner/Resch/GER
Oberhof Silke Kraushaar/GER Albert Demtschenko/RUS Plankensteiner/ Haselrieder/ITA
Altenberg Sylke Otto Markus Kleinheinz/AUT Linger/Linger/AUT
Lillehammer Sylke Otto Georg Hackl Leitner/Resch
Igls Sylke Otto Georg Hackl Schiegl/Schiegl/AUT

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