Dukurs on top again at skeleton European Championships

The Latvian siblings had shared the title last year after both finished with the same time but Martins was the one out in front this time after bringing up his 45th World Cup win.

Coincidentally, Dukurs' maiden World Cup victory came on the same Winterberg track almost exactly nine years ago in February 2008.

His latest success was achieved in a combined time of 1:52.04 with a winning margin of 0.62 from Tomass with Russia's Alexander Tretiakov completing the podium in third.

Victory also sees defending World Cup winner Dukurs climb to the top of the overall World Cup standings for the first time this season on 811 points.

Sungbin Yun of Korea, who finished fifth in Winterberg, lies second overall on 793 points at the halfway point of the season with Christopher Grotheer of Germany third on 737.

Dukurs said: "It was a really important race here for me today! My season started with a few lows. I would like to thank everyone for supporting me. The track in Winterberg was also in top condition today."

Sportsbeat 2017