Felix Loch becomes youngest ever Olympic luge champion

From Sportsbeat Staff, in Whistler

GERMANY'S world champion Felix Loch cruised home to become the youngest ever Olympic men's luge champion at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

RECORD BREAKER: Germany's double world champion Felix Loch becomes the youngest ever Olympic men's luge champion after a dominant display in Whistler (Getty Images)

The competition had been overshadowed by the tragic death of Georgia's Nodar Kumaritashvili with the International Luge Federation altering the track and starting the men from the traditional women's position.

And after building a 0.282 seconds lead overnight, 20-year old Loch extended his lead to 0.679 to take gold in his first Olympic appearance.

The German admitted he had his reservations about the change in starting positions but admitted afterwards the ILF had made the appropriate decision.

"It was definitely the right decision," said Loch. "I was worried at first that I wouldn't do well but it was okay and I won which is great.

"It's especially important for me to win for Germany because it's our first gold in men's luge for 12 years."

Compatriot and fellow double world champion David Moeller, who won the World Cup event in Whistler last season, was lying second overnight.

And the 28-year old, who won the world championships in 2004 and 2007, recorded the second fastest time in both of Sunday's runs to collect silver in his second Olympic appearance.

Moeller also admitted the changes had thrown him at first: "The last few days were so confusing. There was a tragic accident and then the change to our start.

"We've been spending the last four years tuning ourselves and our sled for the men's downhill start and then we had less than a day to change them for the women's start. I wasn't sure what would happen so I'm really happy.

"The only improvement would be in Germany had finished first, second and third."

Italy's Armin Zoggeler was going for his third consecutive Olympic title in Whistler and, having captured his ninth World Cup title this season, was pre-race favourite.

But the 36-year old, who won four World Cup races this season, struggled to contend with his German rivals' pace on the shorter track and settled for bronze - medalling for the fifth consecutive Olympics, 1.290 behind Loch.

Great Britain's Adam Rosen recorded the 19th fastest final run of 3:16.016 to finish 16th, mirroring his result from Turin four years ago.

AS IT HAPPENS: Day three of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver

IN PICTURES: Felix Loch's record breaking men's luge victory