Wendl, Arlt claim 3rd doubles luge World Cup win

OBERHOF, Germany (AP) Germany's Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt edged compatriots Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken by 17 thousandths of a second in doubles Saturday for their third successive luge World Cup victory.

The Olympic champions were fastest in the first run and set a track record of 41.368 seconds in the second, finishing in a combined time of 1 minute, 22.762 seconds.

Russia's Alexandr Denisyev and Vladislav Antonov were third, 0.570 back, ahead of Austria's Peter Penz and Georg Fischler.

Wendl and Arlt cut Eggert and Benecken's lead in the overall standings to 55 points after seven races. Eggert and Benecken won the first four.

Four-time champion Felix Loch of Germany extended his lead in the men's singles standings with his fourth win of the season later Saturday.

The Olympic champion set a track record in his second run to overtake compatriot Andi Langenhan and win in a combined time of 1:26.828. Langenhan was fastest in the first run but finished 0.211 back after the second.

American Chris Mazdzer was third, 0.638 back, for the second race in succession.

After seven of 12 events, Loch stretched his overall lead to 155 points over Langenhan with his 22nd World Cup win.

The women's and team relay events were scheduled for Sunday.