Felix Loch: Medals more important than winning at the Luge World Championships

For record-breaking World Champion Felix Loch, it doesn't matter who wins the medals at the Luge World Championships in Altenberg. "I've been around long enough to know that it's simply important that we win medals," said the three-time Olympic champion in an interview with Münchner Merkur/tz (Thursday). "Each of us would like to have one, but who wins it in the end - even if it sounds stupid - doesn't matter at all. We need precious metal as a team to maintain our promotion." The title fights take place from this Friday until Sunday.

Loch is now clear about what he wants to do once he has put the sled in the corner. "I now know where I want to go after the end of my career. And I would therefore be delighted if we could continue practising our sport as we have done so far. Even if I'm then on the other side of the track. I still have at least two active years left until the 2026 Olympic Games," said the 34-year-old. Precious metal is therefore important for the financially weak lugers.

Even though Max Langenhan's impressive World Cup winning streak was recently broken at the European Championships in Innsbruck-Igls, Loch has high hopes for his roommate. "I've known for a long time that he's fast. But this is the first season in which he's been able to hit the ground running. I'm delighted that we finally have someone again who can consistently finish at the front - just like I did for many years," said Loch.

"We get on really well, there's not a hint of envy. But that doesn't change the fact that I want to be faster than him again," said Loch. "It's nice when you're not the top favorite." Together with Italy's Armin Zöggeler (50), Loch leads the leaderboard with six world championship titles, meaning he could become the sole record world champion. "If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, then it doesn't. I'm not stressing about that. I still have a few chances," he said. Langenhan has a lot of faith in Loch: "You always have to reckon with Felix."

The 24-year-old Langenhan and Loch work closely together - national coach Norbert Loch has encouraged this. "It's about every single hundredth. You can no longer do it alone. You need two guys like that."