Loch doubles up on home ice

The German three-time Olympic champion put in the fastest first run, clocking 54.016s on home ice to take a lead over Russia's Roman Repilov and compatriot Johannes Ludwig.

And Loch kept consistent in the second run, recording an effort of 54.100s as Repilov was the only man to go faster second time around, with Ludwig struggling and only finishing 11th fastest in the second run.

That meant Loch took the victory by 0.126s from Repilov, while Ludwig slipped to eighth in the standings and was replaced in the podium spots by fellow German Andi Langenhan.

The 33-year-old two-time world silver medallist moved up from sixth to third in the second run, with another German, Ralf Palik, coming home fourth.

That Altenberg action leaves Loch leading both the men's singles and sprint World Cup standings, with Russia's Semen Pavlichenko back in second after only managing a 25th place finish in Altenberg.

The racing continues next weekend as the World Cup moves to Calgary, Canada.