The reigning Olympic and world champion was seeking to defend the European gold she earned last year in Königssee.

The pre-race favourite lived up to expectations by taking the lead after the first run of the competition, having achieved a time of 41.365sec.

Geisenberger sealed victory on her home track by clocking the fastest second run in 41.445, which gave her an overall time of 1min 22.810sec.

She would lead a German clean sweep of the podium, with Tatjana Huefner ending in second place in a time of 1:23.033.

It would be a final European Championship medal for Huefner prior to her retirement at the end of the season.

Dajana Eitberger claimed the bronze medal as the German finished in 1:23.127.

The victory saw Geisenberger extend her lead at the top of the World Cup standings, as she moved onto 882 points.

Fellow German Julia Taubitz is second on 706, with the United States' Summer Britcher third overall on 556.

Italy sprung a surprise in the team relay by winning the European title for the first time.

Their team of Andrea Vötter, Dominik Fischnaller, Ivan Nagler and Fabian Malleier emerged as the winners in 2:22.827.

Hosts Germany took a disappointing silver medal with Geisenberger, Johannes Ludwig, Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt finishing in 2:22.943.

Latvia rounded off the podium as Eliza Cauce, Inars Kivlenieks, Thomas Steu and Lorenz Koller clocked 2:23.628.