Tobogganing: Tobogganing: Two Austrians on the podium

On Friday, luge double world champion Wolfgang Kindl has also struck on the Olympic track 2010 in Whistler. After his sprint success in Igls, the 30-year-old Tyrolean now won two races and extended his lead in the overall World Cup to 55 points after three of twelve competitions. With track record and best time in the second run Kindl won ahead of Felix Loch and compatriot Reinhard Egger.

It was Egger’s first ever podium place in the World Cup. Olympic champion David Gleirscher came in tenth immediately ahead of Armin Frauscher.

“At the start I was able to keep the gap within limits and then I got two perfect runs in the track. The material is enormous, you’ve already seen in training that nobody can keep up with my speed in the lower area,” Kindl said happily.

It all worked out again. “It’s great to have two Austrians on the podium this time, congratulations to Reini, he deserves it.”

Of course, Egger was also very happy. “I’ve always felt very comfortable in Whistler, the starting frame and the track are just fine with me. There were no flawless runs but two very appealing runs, the result is huge, I am brutally happy!

Not much would have been missing and also the doubles sprint winners of Igls would have provided for another Austrian triumph: Thomas Steu and Lorenz Koller led after a track record at halftime, but fell back after a faulty run to fourth place. The currently only ÖRV duo in this competition, however, also kept the overall lead after the first World Cup quarter, ahead of Friday winners and World Champions Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken from Germany.

On Saturday the women’s competition and the first sprint relay of the season were on the agenda.