We need new countries to join us," Austria's defending men's singles Olympic champion David Gleirscher said. "I really think it's amazing that the Chinese team is in the team relay and also had some qualifiers in other races at the World Cup. The result was another boost for China's new national program after Fan reached the men's singles final on Saturday. Much to the delight of the 300 spectators watching track-side, the host squad, comprising Hu Huilan (women's singles), Fan Duoyao (men's singles) and doubles pair Huang Yebo and Peng Junyue, finished ninth among the 14 teams in the relay in its World Cup debut. Germany bagged the men's singles and doubles the previous day. Spearheaded by women's singles winner Madeleine Egle's flawless run, Austria edged out Germany in the team relay on Sunday night to claim the fourth and final gold up for grabs in Yanqing. The same four events-men's and women's singles, doubles and team relay-will feature at the Games from Feb 5-10.
With European powers dominating the podium and the host making an impressive debut, the World Cup series got off to a flying start to build anticipation for next year's Olympics. With the tricky curves and bumpy ride pushing athletes to their limits, last week's luge World Cup season opener in Yanqing delivered an exhilarating preview of what to expect at next year's Winter Olympics.ĭon't blink and make sure your cameras are ready-that was the takeaway for spectators after watching the fastest sport on ice at the National Sliding Center, where the world's top lugers put on a thrilling show at the newly built Olympic track in the northwestern Beijing suburb.
It was the first time China has participated in a luge relay event at an elite global competition. Team China competes in Sunday's team relay at the luge World Cup season opener in Yanqing district, Beijing.