LUGE: Russians Pavlichenko and Ivanova win again at their favorite track … in Latvia!

Russia's 2015 World Luge Champion Semen Pavlichenko

Germany has dominated the Luge World Cup through its first five stop, but Russia performed best in Sigulda (LAT), winning the men’s and women’s Singles races.

Semen Pavlichenko, the 2015 World Champion, won once again at his favorite track ahead of teammate Aleksandr Gorbatcevich, 1:36.074-1:36.262. It’s the fourth straight year in which Pavlichenko has won a medal in Sigulda, and his third win in a row.

With Austria’s David Gleirscher taking the bronze, it was only the second time in eight races this season that a German slider did not win a men’s Singles medal.

In the women’s Singles, Tatyana Ivanova dominated in Sigulda again, winning her sixth individual race over the past nine seasons and her eighth individual medal. It was the first race this season that a German racer did not win. But Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger, who was shut out in Konigssee, breaking a 25-race medal streak, won the silver to start a new streak.

Summer Britcher, now the no. 1 American women’s luger, won her a medal for the third consecutive race, earning a bronze.

The Doubles went, as usual, to Germany’s Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken, giving them four wins in a row on the circuit and medals in seven of the eight races this season.

The home fans got a thrill on Sunday with a Latvian win in the Team Relay. Summaries:

FIL World Cup
Sigulda (LAT) ~ 12-13 January 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Singles: 1. Semen Pavlichenko (RUS), 1:36.074; 2. Aleksandr Gorbatcevich (RUS), 1:36.262; 3. David Gleirscher (AUT), 1:36.338; 4. Kristers Aparjods (LAT), 1:36.397; 5. Jozsef Ninis (SVK), 1:36.346. Also: 13. Chris Mazdzer (USA), 1:36.821; … 20. Jonathan Gustafson (USA), 1:37.086; … 22. Tucker West (USA), 1:37.151.

Men’s Doubles: 1. Toni Eggert/Sascha Benecken (GER), 1:24.119; 2. Oskars Gudramovics/Peteris Kalnins (LAT), 1:24.498; 3. Andris Sics/Juris Sics (LAT), 1:24.588; 4. Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt (GER), 1:24.783; 5. Ludwig Rieder/Patrick Rastner (ITA), 1:24.788. Also: 11. Chris Mazdzer/Jayson Terdiman (USA), 1:25.170.

Women’s Singles: 1. Tatyana Ivanova (RUS), 1:24.336; 2. Natalie Geisenberger (GER), 1:24.464; 3. Summer Britcher (USA), 1:24.686; 4. Andrea Voetter (ITA), 1:24.690; 5. Kendija Aparjode (LAT), 1:24.714. Also: 16. Brittney Arndt (USA), 1:26.041.

Team Relay: 1. Latvia (Aparjode, Aparjods, Gudramovics/Kalnins), 2:13.213; 2. Russia, 2:13.369; 3. Germany, 2:3.606; 4. United States (Britcher, West, Mazdzer/Terdiman), 2:14.117; 5. Ukraine, 2:16.800.