Germany’s Felix Loch takes gold as luge World Cup returns to Whistler, B.C.

By The Canadian Press on December 9, 2022.

WHISTLER, B.C. – Germany’s Felix Loch captured gold and set a track record in the process as the luge World Cup returned to Whistler, B.C., on Friday with the men’s singles race.

The 33-year-old finished the two-run race with a combined time of one minute 39.619 seconds. Wolfgang Kindl of Austria was 0.034 seconds behind and Italy’s Dominik Fischnaller (1:39.689) came in third.

Kindl moved into first place in the overall World Cup standings after taking silver in both men’s singles and men’s sprint.

Friday’s first run saw Kindl race down the track in 49.833 seconds to beat a track record he set in November 2018. Loch edged the milestone just minutes later with a time of 49.798 seconds, hitting speeds of 144 km/h on the way down.

There were no Canadians among the 21 sleds from eight countries.

The competition continues Friday with the women’s singles event. The men’s and women’s doubles go Saturday, followed by the mixed relay.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2022.

8
-7