Saturday, November 10, 2001
German women continue incredible run
By CAMERON MAXWELL -- Calgary Sun
The German women's dominance in luge continues.
In the women's single event last night at Canada Olympic Park in the Viessmann World Cup, the German juggernaut was out in full strength, taking all three medals.
Sylke Otto was silky smooth with a combined time of 1:28.724 after setting a new track record of 44.160 on her first run, racing with a broken foot she injured four weeks ago. Silke Kraushaar was second at 1:29.075, while Barbara Niedernhuber was third with a 1:29.102 clocking. Otto's win marks the 36th-straight international race won by the Germans.
As far as the Canadians went it was a huge day for young Abbie Lovatt and a disappointing day for Regan Lauscher.
Lovatt, a 17-year-old Bowness high student, finished 21st with a two-run combined time of 1:30.999, for her best ever finish.
"My second run was just awesome," said Lovatt, a junior luger who managed to hold onto first place as half a dozen World Cup athletes couldn't best her time until New Zealand's Angela Maria Paul.
"It's amazing -- I didn't think I'd be first for so long. I couldn't believe it."
For Lauscher, who was 15th in World Cup rankings last season, it was a matter of being too tense and trying too hard as she wound up in 22nd place with a 1:31.006 clocking.
"I think I was just going for the gold, trying to give 150 per cent when 100 per cent would have been enough," said Lauscherk.
"It's a little disappointing coming into an Olympic season, competing on my home track and working all summer on my starts in the Ice House. It's definitely a real bummer."
Other Canadians included Lindsay Danforth (32nd) and Monica Gorham (41st).
2002 Games Luge Coverage
