Alex Gough ends winning series of Germany's women after 105 victories
Canada’s Alex Gough had the honour to put an end to the winning series of Germany’s women in the Viessmann Luge World Cup. The World bronze medallist celebrated the first World Cup success of her career at the Viessmann World Cup in Paramonovo, Russia. Simultaneously, after 105 successive victories for Germany’s women lugers since December 6, 1997, she claimed the first non-German top spot on the podium. It was Austria’s Andrea Tagwerker who took the highest spot on the podium for the last time on November 29, 1997.
Olympic and three-time World champion Tatjana Huefner of Germany, after the first run in the lead, botched her second run and had to make do with a fourth place behind team-mates Carina Schwab, who celebrated the best result of her career so far finishing in second position, and Natalie Geisenberger. Nevertheless Huefner claimed the overall World Cup victory for the fourth time in a row.
Huefner, with a total of 745 points to her credit, accomplished the so far unique feat in the history of the International Luge Federation, FIL, to celebrate four successive overall World Cup victories (2007-2008; 2008-2009; 2009-2010 and 2010-2011). Austria’s Angelika Schafferer took the overall World Cup crown three times in a row (2978-1979; 1979-1980; 1980-1981).
During the victory ceremony the International Luge Federation, FIL, observed a minute’s silence in memory of Nodar Kumaritashvili. The 21-year-old Georgian luger died exactly one year ago in a training accident prior to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
The Quotes
Alex Gough (CAN / 2011 World bronze medallist, 2009 World 4th-placed)
“Fantastic, I still can’t believe it. I always knew that this winning series would come to an end one day. But I never thought that I would be the one. This track is new for all of us, there is no one who can claim a home advantage. I’m extremely happy.”
Tatjana Huefner (GER / Olympic and three-time World champion)
“For many it is a great feat that I have claimed the overall World Cup victory for the fourth time in a row. But to be honest – I’m not really the type for statistics. Next week in Sigulda I’ll attack again.”