LILLEHAMMER, Norway (AP) — Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger won the women’s World Cup luge season-opener on Saturday, prevailing after U.S. slider Kate Hansen found trouble on her second run.
Geisenberger’s two-run time was 1 minute, 35.847 seconds. Russia’s Tatyana Ivanova was second in 1:36.031, and Canada’s Alex Gough took third in 1:36.233.
Erin Hamlin was the top American finisher, placing eighth. Hansen was the surprise leader after the first run, then posted only the 22nd-best time in the second heat on the way to finishing 12th overall.
Julia Clukey of the U.S. was 19th. The fourth American in the field, Summer Britcher, crashed in her first run.
Earlier Saturday, defending World Cup champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt of Germany prevailed in the doubles season-opener.
