By Nick Butler

Tatiana Ivanava halted German dominance by winning in Lillehammer ©FILRussia's Tatiana Ivanova produced the shock of the season so far on the International Luge Federation (FIL) World Cup circuit by defeating the hitherto unbeaten German, Natalie Geisenberger, to claim individual gold today in Lillehammer. 


Geisenberger, the reigning Olympic singles and mixed team champion, had proved unbeatable until today this season, racking up six consecutive victories.

But after having pressure inflicted on her by Ivanova going quicker in the first round, a below par second run saw the German miss out on the medals, eventually finishing down in fifth.

Ivanova took her chance and capitalised in style, producing the quickest run again to triumph with a combined time of 1:35.306.

Alex Gough of Canada took second place, while there was a German presence on the podium as Dajana Eitberger claimed third.

"That was so important for me," said Ivanova, the 2010 and 2012 European champion who took a mixed team silver on home ice at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

"I hadn't made it onto the podium a single time this winter, and now my first victory in two years.

"That's just the motivation I need for Sigulda and the World Championships."

Tatiana Ivanova rolled back the years today, recapturing the form that saw her win the 2010 and 2012 European titles ©AFP/Getty ImagesTatiana Ivanova rolled back the years today, recapturing the form that saw her win the 2010 and 2012 European titles ©AFP/Getty Images



Ivanova still has a long way to go to catch up in the overall World Cup standings, moving up to 15th in the World Cup standings, 602 points behind runaway leader Geisenberger.

Eitberger and Tatjana Hüfner lie second and third overall in a German 1-2-3.

There was a customary German victory in the men's doubles event as Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt took their fourth victory of the season ahead of team mates Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken, while Russia's Alexandr Denisyev and Vladislav Antonov took bronze.

Action continues in Lillehammer with men's individual and relay events tomorrow, with the World Championships then due to take place in Sigulda, Latvia from February 14 to 15. 

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