Golden Germans: Huefner gives her country a luge singles sweep of gold at Vancouver Olympics

Huefner gives Germany yet another luge gold

WHISTLER, British Columbia — Germany’s Tatjana Huefner has won the gold medal in women’s luge, the ninth for her country in 13 Olympic competitions.

Huefner finished four runs in 2 minutes, 46.52 seconds. Austria’s Nina Reithmayer won the silver after Tuesday’s final two runs, and Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger took the bronze.

The win gave always-dominant Germany a sweep of singles luge gold, after Felix Loch won the men’s event that finished Sunday.

Erin Hamlin of Remsen, N.Y. was the top American, finishing 16th. The 2009 world champion fell far from contention after struggling from a reconfigured start ramp throughout the competition, her medal hopes ending at the very start of the course.