Singles, Women

German sliders had continued to dominate the world of women’s luge in the years following the unification of the two Germanys and Susi Erdmann, as both World Champion and World Cup holder, led a powerful German team at Albertville. The Austrian team arrived with a series of secret weapons – an improved coaching system under Klaus-Michael Bonsack and Josef Feistmantl, a generously funded program and, more controversially, a new skin suit that strapped at the heel and caused the toes to point inwards during the run reducing drag. With Austrian sliders filling all three podium positions after two runs the American and Italians protested that the suit was illegal but the protest was rejected by the Jury of Appeal. The championship was a triumph for the Neuner sisters from Innsbruck. Doris, the younger of the two, led from start to finish ahead of older sister Angelika although Angelika was faster on all but the first run. The third Austrian, Andrea Tagwerker, faltered on the second day allowing Erdmann to gain some consolation for Germany by taking the bronze medal