Germany Looks to Maintain Luge Dominance
Silke Kraushaar is a four-time world champion and three-time Olympian.
(By Fabrizio Bensch -- Reuters)
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On an icy track, Germany's women are unmatched. "They are the masters of our sport," American Samantha Retrosi said.
Since 1964, when luge made its Olympic debut at Innsbruck, Austria, German sliders have won 24 of a possible 33 medals. Four years ago at Salt Lake City, Sylke Otto, Barbara Niedernhuber and Silke Kraushaar took gold, silver and bronze, the fourth time Germany has swept the medals in 11 tries. They may go eins, zwei and drei again.
"Every nation tracks their success based on how well they compete against the Germans," said Courtney Zablocki, the top slider on a young U.S. team. "Everyone respects what they've accomplished, but at the same time a lot of us feel as though the gap is beginning to close slightly."
That remains to be seen. Otto, a four-time world champion, is back to defend her title as is Kraushaar, who won gold in 1998 at Nagano. The German team is so talented that Niedernhuber, who twice won silver, and Anke Wischnewski, the World Cup bronze medalist, were left off, beaten out by Tatjana Huefner, 22.
One of the things that makes the Germans so tough -- aside from their strong starts, flawless lines and pure speed -- is that they are experienced. Otto, 35, is sliding in her third Olympics as is Kraushaar, 35, also a four-time world champion.
"They've been sliding for as long as I've been alive," said 19-year-old Erin Hamlin. "This sport is based on experience. I know when I get to that level, I'll be able to be in competition with them."
Women's Luge First two runs: Who to Watch World Cup Standings 1. Silke Kraushaar, Germany 2. Sylke Otto, Germany 3. Tatjana Huefner, Germany 4. Anastasia Oberstotz-Antonova, Italy 5. Sonja Manzenreiter, Austria U.S. Team Erin Hamlin Samantha Retrosi Courtney Zablocki On TV NBC, 4-5 p.m.
