The German surprisingly missed out on the world title last weekend in Latvia, earning a silver medal, but has been in imperious form during the World Cup season and was targeting a sixth victory.

His first run time was clocked at 54.172sec, enough to assume the leader at the halfway stage of the event at the German venue, which he has been unbeaten at since 2010.

The 25-year-old ensured that record was maintained by putting in a faster run of 54.021 to end the competition with a combined time of 1min 48.193, enough to secure gold.

The result ensured that Loch cannot be passed at the top of the World Cup rankings this season and sees him retain the World Cup title for the fourth consecutive year, having first won the crown back in 2012.

"I like racing in Altenberg," Loch, the double Olympic gold medallist, said.

"I hope the spectators could see that.

"It's really great that I was able to clinch my win in the overall World Cup rankings here, too."

Johannes Ludwig won silver as part of a German clean sweep ©Getty Images



The German crowd were treated to further success as the remaining podium places where taken by Loch's teammates Johannes Ludwig and Andi Langenhan, second and third respectively.

The doubles event saw German occupying the top two positions on the medal rostrum again, as Olympic and newly crowned world champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt took victory ahead of countrymen Toni Eggert and Sacha Benecken.

Eggert and Benecken still have the edge over the two-time world champions, but their lead has been reduced to just 40 points.

Latvian brothers Andris and Juris Sics were third.

Tomorrow will see the FIL Sprint World Cup take place, before the lugers return to Russia for the final World Cup of the season from February 28 to March 1, in Sochi.

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