Germany's Max Langenhan defends luge world championship title
Canada's 3 sleds did not make the cut for the 2nd round of the men's singles race
Germany's Max Langenhan won a second straight luge world championship title on Saturday, claiming gold in the men's singles race.
The 25-year-old blasted down the icy track in Whistler, B.C., with a two-run combined time of one minute 39.922 seconds.
Repeating as world champion means a lot, Langenhan said.
"I think last year, Altenberg is one of my favourite tracks. And then here in Whistler, normally it's every time so (expletive) close, and every small mistake costs you so much time," he said. "But in the end, I'm super happy with these two runs."
Langenhan finished 0.135 seconds ahead of teammate Felix Loch, who posted a blistering time of 49.909 seconds on his second run.
WATCH | 53rd FIL Luge World Championships Whistler: Men's singles run 2
"I was under a little bit of stress after Felix putting such a good time down. But in the end I'm super happy," Langenhan said.
"I think it's like the best compliment for the whole team. They put in so much energy throughout the whole season. And if you're bringing them one and two, I think they are super stoked."
Austria's Nico Gleirscher took bronze.
Langenhan also won gold in the new discipline of mixed singles on Thursday with teammate Julia Taubitz, who also finished first in the women's singles race on Friday.
Canada's three sleds did not make the cut for the second round of the men's singles race. Theo Downey finished the first run in 50.815 seconds for 22nd place, Dylan Morse was 26th and Bastian van Wouw was 28th in his first-ever race at the senior level.
Competing against luge veterans was "awesome" said the 18-year-old van Wouw.
"I'm always watching the livestreams of their races," he said. "And now being able to be a part of it is just unreal."
The world championships wrap on Saturday with the team relay event.