2014 Olympic Games – Women’s Luge

From Sochi, Russia

Like Felix Loch before her, Natalie Geisenberger dominated luge in Sochi.  The only woman to crack 50 seconds (she did it all four times), the German came into the second day of sliding with over a .75 advantage.  Going into the fourth heat it was over a full second, and by the end of the day’s sliding, Geisenberger won by a mammoth 1.139 seconds over countrywoman Tatjana Hüfner.  Hüfner set the start record in her second run, and was able to keep ahead of everyone but her teammate to take silver.

It was a history-making  performance for American Erin Hamlin.  The 2009 World Champion scored the first ever singles luge medal for the United States, taking bronze with four very solid runs.  Finishing just over .2 back of silver, Hamlin cruised to a bronze medal, easily outpacing all of the women behind her.  Canadians Alex Gough and Kimberley McRae took fourth and fifth to put three North Americans in the top five.

Overall it was a successful trip to Sochi for the American women.  On top of Hamlin’s huge race, Kate Hansen scored tenth place finish while Summer Britcher stumbled in the first heat, but was able to rally to a 15th place finish.  Both athletes are in their first Olympic games.  Arianne Jones finished 13th for Canada, topping off a solid performance for North America.

On home ice, the Russians faltered, with Tatyana Ivanova and Natalja horeva finishing seventh and eighth, though both sliders were within the top five at one point or another.  Ekaterina Baturina had a bumpy first ride, and couldn’t get higher than 11th on home ice.

Results: