Magnificent seven luge World Cup titles for Geisenberger

A win in the final full-length race of the season proved enough for the German to bag a magnificent seven crowns, taking her place as one of the greatest lugers of all time.

On the course where the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics were held, Geisenberger dominated from the off as she registered the quickest time in both runs in Russia.

First came a run of 50.163 seconds for the track record holder, picking up speed throughout as she leapt from third at the second intermediate checkpoint to the top of the rankings.

The second saw her stop the clock in 50.211s, a total combined time of 1:40.374 more than a tenth of a second ahead of Viktoriia Demchenko, who took second on her home track.

Dajana Eitberger narrowly held on to her halfway position of third to take the bronze medal, narrowly ahead of Latvia’s Kendija Aparjode, who had threatened to secure a place on the podium.

But the day ultimately belonged to Geisenberger – who could bag the 50th World Cup win of her career in Sunday’s season-ending sprint race.

For now, however, she can revel in another season that has seen her finish in the top three of the World Cup standings for 12 straight years, not relinquishing her crystal globe trophy since first ruling the world in 2012.

Sportsbeat 2019