Julia Taubitz nears women’s luge points lead after victory in Latvia

Julia Taubitz of Germany pulled off a big rally in the second heat to win a World Cup women’s luge race Saturday, making the contest with Tatyana Ivanova of Russia for the overall season-long championship even tighter.

Taubitz finished in first in a two-run time of one minute 24.944 seconds, Ivanova was second (1:25.059) and Latvia’s Eliza Cauce (1:25.094) was third on her home track in Sigulda for her best finish of the season by far.

Ivanova’s lead over Taubitz was trimmed to 17 points in the overall standings, and they are the only two serious contenders remaining in the race for the points title.

Top Canadian was Trinity Ellis of Pemberton, B.C., who was 20th among 27 finishers. Makena Hodgson was 25th while fellow Calgarian Carolyn Maxwell did not finish.

WATCH | Taubitz slides to gold:

Germany’s Julia Taubitz finishes 1st with a time of 1:24.944.1:43

In the doubles race later Saturday, Latvians Andris Sics and Juris Sics got a win on home ice. They finished in 1:23.804. Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt of Germany were second in 1:23.834, and Germany also got bronze from Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken.

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