Dominant Hufner romps to Olympic luge gold

From Sportsbeat staff, in Vancouver

 TATJANA Hufner has finally got her hands on the one that got away with Olympic luge gold at the Whistler Sliding Centre in Vancouver.

GERMANY DOMINATE: Tatjana Hufner follows Felix Loch's example and strikes luge gold at the Whistler Sliding Centre (Getty Images)

The 26-year-old has been in irresistible form in Whistler, and having held the overnight advantage from Austria's Nina Reithmayer, the three-time world champion never looked back.

Hufner was forced to settle for bronze four years ago in Turin as Sylke Otto led a German clean sweep but this time there was to be no stopping her as she notched up a combined time of 2:46.524.

In capturing victory Hufner, who was won the World Cup series for the past three seasons, ensured the women's title remains in German hands, just as it has done since 1994.

She also completed a historic German double, after 20-year-old Felix Loch had collected the men's title on Sunday.

Perhaps the biggest shock was that there was no German clean sweep, as has been the case at the last two Winter Games.

"I'm extremely happy. This is what I've worked for, for many, many years," said Hufner.

"I was nervous before the four runs, but the atmosphere was exciting. This is exactly what I've dreamed of.

"It was hard for the German team. It's a very hard start curve. We saw that when a really good driver like Nina Reithmayer is good on the start curve she can end up with a medal."

Indeed, Germany's reign was threatened by Reithmayer, who posted the fastest time in Monday's opening run on a shortened track - following the tragic death of Georgian slider Nodar Kumaritashvili.

Reithmayer has never won a World Cup event and has only reached the podium twice, but despite intense pressure from Natalie Geisenberger, she clung on in the next three runs to take silver, 0.490 behind Hufner.

Geisenberger was forced to settle for bronze, 0.087 behind the Austrian.

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

IN PICTURES: Tatjana Hufner collects luge gold