Luge World Championships have also been a German festival for decades: at last year’s World Cup, eight out of nine titles went to Germany. It shouldn’t be that easy in Altenberg at the weekend.
The expectations are high. After all, success makes you hungry. So it’s no wonder that German toboggan fans are hoping for the next World Cup gold shower this weekend. The new world champions will be crowned in Altenberg, Saxony, from January 26th to 28th, 2024. The Germans are of course the favorites in all disciplines – but the protégés of successful coach Norbert Loch are no longer unbeatable.
In the competition in which fractions of a second decide, Austria in particular has come under the attack of the German speedsters. The doubles team Thomas Steu/Wolfgang Kindl lead the overall World Cup standings, in the women’s singles Madeleine Egle is putting a lot of pressure on the leader Julia Taubitz.
Langenhan is the hunted
Germany’s biggest trump card before the World Cup is Max Langenhan, who, after ten wins in a row, lost out to local hero Jonas Müller at the World Cup dress rehearsal in Innsbruck-Igls. For the 24-year-old, it was the first setback that really bothered him. “I’m super dissatisfied. I just delivered a really bad race. That’s disappointing”said Langenhan two weeks ago.
On the treacherous railway in Saxony, only gold counts for the Thuringian. His steep climb is impressive. At the World Championships in Oberhof a year ago, Langenhan won silver – and his best career result at the time. The men’s decision was the only one in which Germany did not win a gold medal. This “blemish” was annoying Langenhan Not twelve months ago: “I’m vice world champion, silver is worth its weight in gold today, I’m happy,” he commented at the time.
Will Felix Loch find the path to success?
A lot has changed now and Langenhan has become a winning driver. This series of successes is synonymous with the changing of the guard in the German team. Langenhan has displaced Felix Loch as number 1. The three-time Olympic champion is currently the most successful luger at world championships with six gold and three silver medals. Loch could overtake Armin Zöggeler in the all-time best list with another medal. After the performances of the current season, a medal would be a big surprise.
Does Taubitz use their home advantage?
Things are different for Julia Taubitz. She is fully grown in Altenberg, knows the track inside out and was also the fastest at the 2023 World Cup dress rehearsal in Altenberg. The biggest competitor comes from Austria and is called Madeleine Egle, but the home advantage clearly plays into Taubitz’s hands.
Julia Taubitz celebrates: Does the Saxon also celebrate on Sunday?
Open World Championship race in men’s doubles
With three gold, five silver and one bronze at World Championships, three-time Olympic champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt lead the World Cup rankings of active doubles athletes. One would think they were clear favorites. Puppy cake! With five different winners in five World Cup races this season, the men’s doubles are really exciting. In addition to Wendl/Arlt, who have reached the podium four times so far, the newly formed Austrian doubles Thomas Steu/Wolfgang Kindl were particularly impressive.
Degenhardt/Rosenthal want to defend their title
In the women’s doubles, the chances of winning gold are a bit better. Defending champions Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal have positioned themselves with three wins in the last three World Cup races.
Time schedule
Friday, January 26, 2024
1:00 p.m.: Sprint doubles men
1:55 p.m.: Sprint women
2:45 p.m.: Sprint men
3:40 p.m.: Sprint doubles women
Saturday, January 27, 2024
8:50 a.m.: Women’s doubles 1st run
9:55 a.m.: Women’s doubles 2nd run
11:00 a.m.: Men’s single-seater 1st run
12:45 p.m.: Men’s single-seater 2nd run
2:00 p.m.: Men’s doubles 1st run
3:15 p.m.: Men’s doubles 2nd run
Sunday, January 28, 2024
10:45 a.m.: Women’s single-seater 1st run
12:20 p.m.: Women’s single-seater 2nd run
2:00 p.m.: Team relay