Zoeggeler wins 50th luge World Cup race

Two-time Olympic champion Armin Zoeggeler celebrated his 50th career luge World Cup victory Saturday.

The 36-year-old veteran beat Olympic silver medallist David Moeller of Germany and Julian von Schleinitz, the junior world champion and who was making his debut on the World Cup circuit.

Zoeggeler posted a time of one minute 44.322 seconds over two runs, beating Moeller by .219 seconds.

"I'm really pleased. I've had two great runs," Zoeggeler said.

Moeller paid tribute to the Italian.

"I had two good runs and both starts were just great, but the old man is simply faster," Moeller said.

Zoeggeler and Moeller share the World Cup lead with 170 points.

Brendan Hauptman of Kimberly, B.C., led the Canadians in the men's singles race finishing 19th in 1:45.673.

Calgary veterans Jeff Christie and Sam Edney, who were experimenting with new equipment, finished back in the pack. Christie was 22nd while Edney finished 26th.

"We are working on a number of things with our sleds and learning what system we should be going on," said Staudinger.

"I am optimistic that Jeff and Sam can still be up there with the best, and we'll continue to make changes heading into Calgary."

Also on Saturday, Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt won their fourth career race by edging Christian Oberstolz and Patric Gruber of Italy in the doubles.

The Italians set a course record of 43.412 seconds in the first run but finished second overall, .010 seconds behind the German pair. Wendl and Arlt clocked a combined 1:26.832 for the two heats.

Christian Niccum and Jayson Terdiman of the United States were third in 1:27.159. Niccum set a record by going 12 seasons between World Cup luge medals, last winning a gold with Matt McCain on Dec. 12, 1998.

"That was a long drought," Niccum said. "I didn't think it would end today. We were late exiting (turn) 11 and I had to drop my feet to keep the sled stable. That cost us .2 (of a second). In the second run, we did what we should have done in the first."

Calgary's Tristan Walker and Justin Snith raced to 15th, rebounding from a challenging first run where they tapped off the opening start corner. The finished with a combined two-run time of 1:27.962.

"For their age (19), and with the potential they have, we have to be happy with this result," said Canadian coach Wolfgang Staudinger.

Oberstolz and Gruber lead the World Cup standings after two events with 170 points, 10 more than Wendl and Arlt.