The 49th World Luge Championship is continuing in Sochi. On the second day of the competition, the participants had to play medals in two disciplines - races of twos among men and singles among women. The Russians, who won three gold and one silver at the start of the tournament, were able to once again please their fans with several historical achievements.
First, men went to the start of the Olympic track “Sanki”. As on the eve, the main hopes for prizes were associated with the duet Alexander Denisiev - Vladislav Antonov, who last year became the first winners of the World Cup in this discipline in the history of Russia.
At the same time, there were some concerns about Denisiev’s state of health: after a triumphal sprint, he left the sled, limping a little. However, the coaches hastened to assure that the athlete had his foot down and there was no question of withdrawing from the competition.
The Russians immediately entered the fight and, following the results of the first race, took third place, losing to the Germans Tony Eggert and Sasha Beneken 0.155 seconds. After the second race, Denisiev and Antonov managed to narrow the gap, but they could only rely on the mistakes of their rivals, and the most experienced duo did not intend to give the first line so easily.
The total time of Eggert and Beneken was 1 minute 39.384 seconds. With a lag of 0.104 seconds, the Russians took second place. The top three leaders closed another representative of Germany Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt.
Congratulations @EggertBenecken 🇩🇪🥇 😊, Denisev / Antonov 🥈🇷🇺 and @WendlArlt 🥉🇩🇪
. # luge # lugewch20 # worlds # champions # race # lugelove # sochipic.twitter.com / xGyhZzAUBx
As for the other domestic duets, Vsevolod Kashkin and Konstantin Korshunov stopped a step away from the podium, and Vladislav Yuzhakov and Yuri Prokhorov became sixth.
Nevertheless, silver Denisyev and Antonov can not be called a defeat. Never before have Russian crews ever climbed the podium in the classic doubles at world championships. Until today, the best result for the country was fourth place, dating back to 2011. The significance of the current result was also announced by the president of the Luge Federation of Russia (FSSR) Natalia Gart.
“After yesterday, we are so spoiled for victories that we take today's second place with a certain amount of sadness, but this is wrong, the guys are great fellows. Their success is the result of tremendous training work. Today, three of our crews entered the six. It’s just great, I congratulate them wholeheartedly, ”Garth quotes TASS.
After the race, Denisiev admitted that in two days the duo was tired not only physically, but also mentally.
“If, after yesterday’s gold, we say that silver is not a very good result, then it turns out that we are already snickering. Therefore, they are satisfied with the second place. Now we need to rest in order to tune in to the Sunday race, ”said the luge.
After the competition of twos, it was time for another classic discipline - women had to compete for medals alone. In the first race, Russian Ekaterina Katnikova made a significant bid for victory, setting a new track record (49.755 seconds).
In the second attempt, the newly made world champion in the sprint lost to the German Julia Taubits, however, in the sum of two races she was ahead of the opponent by 0.094 seconds. The third place was left by compatriot Katnikova Victoria Demchenko.
Unfortunately, mistakes in passing the track did not allow other Russians to compete for higher positions. Tatyana Ivanova took fifth place, and Olesya Mikhailenko - only 28th.
Katnikova became the first Russian world champion in singles. After her historic triumph, she admitted that she could not yet believe in the reality of what was happening. In addition, she said that she was especially pleased to win on the home track and climb the podium in front of her stands.
“I realize when it will be possible to relax, think, appreciate everything and enjoy victories. I think that this season can be called a breakthrough, we did not work in vain and tried. This is a good season. What caused the breakthrough? We are all growing up, we are learning something and adding somewhere, ”the RIA Novosti champion quotes.
World Champion 2020 in Sochi is Ekaterina Katnikova 🥇 from Russia 🇷🇺. Congratulations also to 🥈 Julia Taubitz🇩🇪 and 🥉 Viktoria Demchenko 🇷🇺 # LugeWCh20 # LugeLovepic.twitter.com / eNrUjpd3Fe
- FIL Luge (@FIL_Luge) February 15, 2020The mentor of the Russian national team Sergei Chudinov called the ward the main discovery of the home championship of the planet, and also stressed that she became a world-class athlete.
“It is very pleasant and great that new world champions appear in our team. This enhances internal competition and gives us inspiration, as well as the desire to go to new achievements and new victories, ”summarized Chudinov.
However, the achievements of the Russian national team on the second competitive day did not end there. Gold Katnikova became the fourth in the assets of the national team, which for the first time in its history took first place in the team event. Only the Soviet sledges achieved such success in 1978. Then they won two golds and one silver.
“Four gold medals of the World Cup and a victory in the team event - this happened for the first time here. We are well done! This is cool. Coaches and athletes work, and I, apparently, inspire. We have a great tandem, ”Garth commented on the historical result.
On Sunday, sleigh riders will play the last sets of awards - in men's singles and team competitions.