Luge Canada

Canada's Jeff Christie gets first taste of Olympic luge track in Torino
-Olympic champion Zoggeler wins gold on hi

Media AdvisoryCanada's Jeff Christie continued his journey to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games by getting a taste of the technically challenging Torino track during men's singles action on Saturday at the Veissmann Luge World Cup.

The 22-year-old Vancouver native, who now calls Calgary home, posted times of 52.86 seconds and 54.27 seconds on his first and second trips down the track, respectively, for a combined time of 1:47.13 and 31st place.

Winning the gold medal was a home-country favourite in Italian Olympic champion Armin Zoggeler, who claimed the top podium spot on the strength of his two-heat total of 1:44.59. Not far behind was the silver medal winner, Russia's Albert Demtschenko, who posted a two-run time of 1:44.62, while American Tony Benshoof won the bronze medal in a time of 1:44.78.

The race also marked the comeback of German luge great Georg Hackl, who won the first of three Olympic gold medals of his career at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. The veteran was impressive in his return from a neck operation, garnering a seventh-place finish after journeying down the new Olympic track in a two-run combined time of 1:45.21.

The Canadian Luge Team will next compete in Altenberg, Germany, on November 26 and 27 in the third World Cup race of the 2005-06 season.


Men's Singles Top-Five Results: (31 Sleds)
1.Armin Zoggeler, ITA, 1:44.59; 2. Albert Demtschenko, RUS, 1:44.62; 3. Tony Benshoof, USA, 1:44.78; 4. David Moller, GER, 1:45.01; 5. Martins Rubenis, LAT, 1:45.04.

Canadian Men's Results:
31. Jeff Christie, Vancouver, 1:47.13.

- 30 -

Chris Dornan
CODA, Communications Specialist
C: 403-585-0254