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Anna Fernstaedt second in Winterberg, Hannah Neise defends lead with third place
Winterberg (RWH) The record number of podium finishes is a golden one for Janine Flock: the skeleton athlete from Austria has won the IBSF World Cup in Winterberg (GER) and set a new World Cup record in the process. With now 40 first, second or third places in the IBSF racing series, the 35-year-old is the athlete with the most podium finishes. Among the spectators in Winterberg was the former record holder Tina Hermann (GER, 39 World Cup podium places). The record-breaking World Champion (four titles) ended her career as an athlete before the start of the season.
Surprisingly in second place in Winterberg: Anna Fernstaedt (CZE, 0.27 seconds back). Her last podium finish, also second place at Königssee (GER), dates back to the winter of 2020/2021.
Olympic Champion Hannah Neise (GER, 0.29 seconds back) finished third on her home track in Winterberg.
Viktoria Dönicke (GER), in her first World Cup appearance for the German skeleton team, left the entire field behind her at the start. With 5.20 seconds start time, the 25-year-old was almost a tenth of a second faster on the first few meters than the second-fastest starter on race day. Viktöria Dönicke finished her World Cup debut on rank ten.
In the overall IBSF World Cup 2024/25 standings, Hannah Neise (GER, 1188 points) defended her lead. Janine Flock (AUT, 1165) is now in second place ahead of the last two races of the season. Kimberley Bos (NED, 1089), fourth in Winterberg, is third overall.
For more detailed information including athlete profiles and results and rankings please visit ibsf.org. Through the following link, we provide a special press/media compilation immediately after the World Cup Races: Selection on Flickr for Press/Media.
Janine Flock (AUT): „Finally back on the top of the podium! I am extremely happy because the road back was not easy after my injuries. I am also a bit older and have to compete with the young athletes. In any case, a good start to the new year!“
Anna Fernstaedt, CZE: “I actually have such a bad connection to the track in Winterberg that I didn’t have any big plans. I knew that I had to give it my all at the start – and I managed to achieve that with two personal best start times. On top of that, I had two clean runs and maybe a bit of luck. It’s incredible that it was enough for silver.“
Hannah Neise (GER): “A lot of snow blew into the starting lane during my first run, so I was very annoyed about my start time. Nevertheless, third place is mega good, those were two solid runs and I still have the yellow bib as the leader in the World Cup.“
Photos: IBSF / Viesturs Lacis
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation is the international organization that administers the sports of bobsleigh and skeleton.

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