Tatjana Huefner claims fourth luge world title

ALTENBERG, Germany (AP) - Olympic champion Tatjana Huefner of Germany won the luge title for the fourth time at the world championships on Sunday, when Germany also claimed gold in the team relay event.

Tatiana Ivanova set a new track record with her first run, but the 28-year-old Huefner overtook the Russian with the fastest second run for a combined time of 1 minute 44.482 seconds.

Ivanova was happy to settle for silver after finishing 0.101 seconds back.

"After I suffered a broken finger I never reckoned on such a result," Ivanova said. "I gritted my teeth at the start."

Olympic bronze medalist Natalie Geisenberger of Germany was third, 0.403 seconds behind.

Huefner equaled the records of four-time world champions Margit Schumann of East Germany and compatriot Sylke Otto.

"It feels great to be mentioned in the same breath as those great lugers," Huefner said. "I absolutely wanted to attack in the second run, not to defeat Ivanova but for the title."

Germany's Felix Loch, also the Olympic champion, had already claimed the men's title for the third time on Saturday

The hosts capped a perfect weekend later Sunday, when Loch and Huefner combined with the doubles team of Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken to claim the team event in 2 minutes 22.003 seconds.

The Germans edged the Russians into second by 0.089 seconds, while Canada claimed bronze after finishing 0.401 seconds back.