In what will clearly be one of the most emotional gold medals awarded at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, German Felix Loch has won the men’s individual luge final at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili’s death in training prior to the start of the Olympic Games on Thursday swept across world news and his fellow luge athletes as a mark of respect wore black marks on their helmets during competition.

Loch executed his final run in the same breathtaking style that he had completed his previous three runs to take the gold medal in a combined time of 3:13.085. His German teammate David Moeller won the silver medal, while defending dual Olympic champion Armin Zoeggler won the bronze medal. Zoeggler’s performance means he has now won medals in the five Olympic Games he has competed in, with two gold medals, one silver, and two bronze.

Shortly afterwards Loch acknowledged the significance of winning the Olympic title, while also recognising his father, German head coach Norbert Loch.

“It’s important for Germany to have won its first gold in men’s luge in 12 years.” Loch said. “My dad, he is very happy for me.”

Heading into the final two runs on Sunday, Loch led proceedings with a combined total of 1:36.570, just under three tenths of a second ahead of countryman Moeller, with Zoeggler a further 15th of a second behind in third place.

With the start list in the third run going from first to last place Loch put down another fast and consistent time of 48.344 to set a total of  2:24.914. Both Moeller and Zoeggler were unable to make any ground on the German as Moeller slipped to half a second behind and Zoeggler a full second behind as he searched for a third consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Argentine veteran Ruben Gonzalez led the lugers on the final run as the 47-year-old rounded out his fourth Olympic campaign with a 37th place finish. The Argentine is the first person to compete in the Winter Olympics in four different decades (1988, 1992, 2002, 2010).
 
The crowd atmosphere around the Whistling Sliding Centre reached fever pitch as Canadian Samuel Endey hit the lead with seven left to slide after he recorded a 48.373 to finish with a final total of 3:14.840. He was soon passed however and it was left to the final three to battle it out for the medals.

Zoeggler had a smooth start before picking up time down the track to move into the gold medal position, however Moeller executed a perfect run to better Zoeggler’s time by more than six tenths of a second. Moeller did not have to wait long for Loch to emulate his run as he recorded a final run time of 48.171 to take the gold medal.

David Polglase
AOC Vancouver