Pigneter also wins in Olang, Russia celebrates its first podium finish among the men

The 20-year-old computer science student from Kandalaksha was in fifth place after the first run. ““The track was a little faster in the second run and I rode very well, especially in the upper part. “I was fully concentrated and not particularly nervous, but I had a few minor mistakes in the lower part,” said Kovshik, commenting on his race. The victory was once again secured by Patrick Pigneter from Fiè, but he was not entirely satisfied: “I would have expected more, especially in training. Last week I won by a big margin, but I said right away that things could change quickly. And it was actually a close decision today.” Second-placed Hannes Clara from Val Badia ensured that it was close for the World Cup leader, who made an impressive comeback after missing the World Cup qualification last weekend: “I’m super happy, especially because I saw that I’m not that far away from Patrick in terms of running times.”

For the women, the exciting decisions once again only began with second place. As was the case last week in Latzfons, the top spot on the podium was reserved for Ekatharina Lavrentjeva. She once again outclassed the rest of the field with a lead of over a second: “Olang is my favorite track, I like every curve here, I’m at home here. I have been coming here for so many years and the people here have always helped me. My first victory in Olang was in 1999 at the World Cup test for the 2000 World Cup, and since then I have been coming back to Olang again and again,” enthuses the sports teacher from Kandalaksha. Renate Gietl from Felthurn, who leads the field behind Lavrentjeva, also paid respect to the Russian: “Kathi is very difficult to beat here, but I am satisfied because I came second despite a few mistakes. You can tell you're in good shape when you make mistakes and can still set a fast time. So I'm in good spirits, even though Zelezniki won't be coming towards me on the train next week. I like it steep, the track in Slovenia is rather flat.” Evelin Lanthaler from Moos in Passeier was able to win the battle for third place: “I'm glad that I was able to show here that I can be at the front. I made mistakes in the first run, but in the second run I saw that I could get into Kathi's range in terms of time." Lanthaler, who missed qualifying for the World Cup in Latzfons last week, achieved that in the second run second fastest time, pushing her teammate Melanie Schwarz into fourth place. The German Michaela Maurer achieved an impressive fifth place and is slowly but steadily approaching the top field.

In the team competition, which was held for the first time in the World Cup, the team from Russia demonstrated that they are currently the measure of all things. In the team competitions that have so far been held as part of the European and World Championships, the victories have alternately gone to Italy or Austria. But the Russian victory came as no surprise: “We already knew that the Russians were strong. “Hannes would have gotten a lead, but it wasn’t enough,” said Patrick Pigneter, commenting on the result. Hannes Clara achieved the best time in his run, but the Russians countered with best times from Lavrentjeva and Porshnev/Lazarev. Austria took third place.

Results World Cup luge on natural track - Valdaora (January 15, 2012) Women (18): 1. Ekatharina Lavrentjeva (RUS), 1:08,40(1), 1:08,65(1), 2:17,05 2. Renate Gietl (ITA), 1:09,24(2), 1:09,00(3), 2:18,24 3. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA), 1:09,80(4), 1:08,82(2), 2:18,62 4. Melanie Schwarz (ITA), 1:09,65(3), 1:09,20(4), 2:18,85 5. Michaela Maurer (GER), 1: 10,29(5), 1:10,15(6), 2:20,44 6. Tamara Schwarz (ITA), 1:10,39(6), 1:10,60(8), 2:20,99 7. Ludmila Aksenenko (RUS), 1:10,53(7), 1:10,57(7), 2:21,10 8. Carmen Planötscher (ITA), 1:11,61(10), 1:09,96(5), 2:21,57 9. Tina Unterberger (AUT), 1:11,09(9), 1:10,91(9), 2:22,00 10. Marlies Wagner (AUT), 1:11,00(9), 1:11,81(11), 2:22,81

Men (34): 1. Patrick Pigneter (ITA), 1:08,06(1), 1:07,22(1), 2:15,28 2. Hannes Clara (ITA), 1:08,13(2), 1:07,43(2), 2:15,56 3. Stanislav Kovshik (RUS), 1:08,52(5), 1:07,87(5), 2:16,39 4. Alex Gruber (ITA), 1:08,41(3), 1:08,02(7), 2:16,43 5. Florian Clara (ITA), 1:08,46(4), 1:08,01(6), 2:16,47 6. Anton Blasbichler (ITA), 1:08,75(6), 1:07,82(3), 2:16,57 7. Michael Scheikl (AUT), 1:08,76(7), 1:07,86(4), 2:16,62 8. Yuri Talikh (RUS), 1:09,31(11), 1:08,05(8), 2:17,36 9. Patrick Salcher (AUT), 1:09,16(10), 1:08,32(9), 2:17,48 10. Rudi Resch (ITA), 1:08,84(9), 1:08,78(12), 2:17,62

Team competition (5): 1. Russia (Ekatharina Lavrentjeva, Stanislav Kovshik, Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev) 3:28,78 2. Italy (Renate Gietl, Hannes Clara, Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara) 3:29,06 3. Austria (Tina Unterberger, Michael Scheikl, Christian Schatz/Gerhard Mühlbacher) 3:31,87 4. Germany 5. Bulgaria

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Pigneter also wins in Olang, Russia celebrates its first podium finish among the men

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