2nd Luge Sprint World Championships Igls 2017

     

#rodelwm2017

The second edition of the Sprint World Championships got underway with crowded and hard fought qualifications.

Have run into the Austrian track as many as 125 slides (45 women, 29 doubles and 51 men).

Italy wore a blue suit, specially produced for the World Championships.

Started the women. Thousandth detachments: only 148 thousandths between the first, Julia Taubiz (GER) and 15th, Miriam Kastlunger (AUT). For Italy, Andrea Vötter qualified 10th, Sandra Robatcher, who finished in 26th position, has been excluded from the Sprint World Championship.

Fewer surprises as regards the doubles, dominated by the Germans in the order, which this year we more frequently see: Eggert/Benecken, Wendl/Arlt, Geueke/Gamm. Fourth Penz/Fischler (AUT), whose doctors have given the go ahead, even if Georg does not yet appear to have recovered his best shape.

The Sprint confirms a scarecrow for Rieder/Rastner, which, because of a big mistake on the curve 11, concluded last. Gruber/Kainzwaldner out from 15 for 4 cents, got ranking 16th. Qualified 10th Oberstolz/Gruber.

As for men, best time of Dominik Fischnaller, followed by Kindl 30 thousandths behind and Repilov. Just 9th Loch. Also qualified Kevin Fischnaller, 8th, and Theo Gruber, 13th. Unfortunately 16th Emanuel Rieder for 1 cent.

We noticed the smoke stream that accompanies the passage of athletes under the arch that marks the beginning of timekeeping. They had been informed, but not everyone reacted the same way. Sandra Robatscher, for example, told us: "I knew it, but it has surprised me anyway and I had some problems." On the other hand, Theo Gruber told us: "I knew it and fortunately it hasn't created me big problems of visibility."

At 13:30 the women started the race on time. Everything seemed already written, but, due to a mistake of Geisenberger, the new Champion of the World is the American Erin Hamlin (30 "074)! Second the defending Champion, the Swiss Martina Kocher, just 9 thousandths behind, who detachs of just one thousandth the Olympic Champion of Vancouver 2010, Tatjana Hüfner. 14th Andrea Vötter, just 163 thousandths from the gold.

The doubles competition started well for the Italian colors, with Oberstolz/Gruber who have recovered several positions than in qualifying, finishing 6th, at 68 thousandths from the podium. Fortunately there are no expected results on the sled, so, thanks to some mistakes of their opponents, the race was won by the solid Wendl/Arlt (29 "843). 

Second surprisingly, Penz / Fischler (+0.106), local heroes, who triggered the enthusiasm of the crowd. Third Eggert/Benecken (+0.113), who have conducted an imperfect race.

The men closed the day with a competition in which much was expected from Dominik Fischnaller, after the fastest time set in this morning's qualifying. Unfortunately, some mistakes have led him on the third step of the podium, 123 thousandths behind Wolfgang Kindl, local matador and new World Champion (32 "467). Silver the leader of the World Cup Roman Repilov (+0.012).
"I am very satisfied with this result" -said Fischnaller just after the Flower Ceremony- "a bronze at the Worlds is a great result for me!"
Theo Gruber has finished in 7th place and Kevin Fischnaller, extracted for doping control with his cousin and Repilov, 9th.

paola castaldi

You can read the Italian translation at the following link: http://www.oasport.it/2017/01/slittino-mondiali-igls-2017-il-racconto-della-giornata-dominik-fischnaller-sul-podio-ma-senza-quegli-errori/