Luge news - Germany hold off Austria to claim World Cup relay event in Konigssee

The team of Julia Taubitz, Sebastian Bley and the Toni Eggert and Sascha Beneken pair combined for a time of 2:47.982 on their home track.

That was enough to hold off the Austrian team of Hannah Prock, Reinhard Egger – fresh from his first World Cup win in the men’s singles earlier in the day – and Thomas Steu and Lorenz Koller.

Austria had never before won a World Cup relay event but missed out by two tenths of a second.

Third was the United States quartet of Summer Britcher, Tucker West, Chris Madzer and Jayson Terdiman.

The Germans have now won two of the first three relay events of the season, including last time out in Calgary after a runner's up finish in Whistler.

That means they are top of the overall standings and looking a good bet to defend their title from last year with Russia second, USA third and Austria up to fourth.