Gleirscher Takes First Austrian Win Since 1968

Neil Simmons
Feb 19, 2018
2 min read

Austrian David Gleirscher became the first Austrian to win the men’s luge since 1968.

After the first run Gleirscher was top of the pile having posted a time of 47.652, which was just 0.02 ahead of the German double Olympic champion Felix Loch. Another German, Johannes Ludwig in third.

Come the 2nd run Gleirscher found himself ranked 7th, his time two tenths slower than his previous. Felix Loch was beginning to find his form and was the fastest with American Chris Madzer moving into second.

The pressure began to build on the third set of runs where only the top twenty would make it through. Chris Madzer was the fastest followed by Loch with Italian Dominik Fischnaller moving into third. Previously the Junior World Championship medallist had finished 10th and 16th on this first two runs. Gleirscher was beginning to make his move and was now up to 4th.

The top 20 moved through the final runs and with Loch slipping down to 19th in the rankings and Madzer posting his second slowest time the stage was set for Gleirscher.

Johannes Ludwig, who had dropped down in the previous two runs moved up to 3rd with Gleirscher’s fellow Austrian Wolfgang Kindl creeping up to 2nd.

Gleirscher posted a quicker time than his first run, but slower than his previous. This did not matter as overall he finished 0.026 seconds ahead of Chris Mazdzer.

OFFICIAL RESULT

GOLD – David Gleirscher (AUT) – 3:10.702

SILVER – Chris Mazdzer (USA) – 3:10.728

BRONZE – Johannes Ludwig (GER) – 3:10.932

4th – Dominik Fischnaller (ITA) – 3:10.934

5th – Felix Loch (GER) – 3:10.968

6th – Samuel Edney (CAN) – 3:11.021

7th – Kevin Fischnaller (ITA) – 3:11.054

8th – Roman Repilov (OAR) – 3:11.108

9th – Wolfgang Kindl (GER) – 3:11.133

10th – Andi Langenhan (GER) – 3:11.433

11th – Kristers Aparjods (LAT) – 3:11.456