Summer Britcher claimed her first Luge World Cup win ©Getty Images

American Summer Britcher claimed the first Luge World Cup victory of her career on her home track in Park City, Utah.

The 21-year-old, who was 15th at the Sochi 2014 Olympics, timed at 1 min 27.537 sec after her two runs to finish ahead of team-mate Erin Hamlin who was only 0.077 adrift.

German Dajana Eitberger, the winner of the season opening World Cup event in Igls, came third a further 0.233 off the pace.

Britcher, part of the winning team relay quartet at the Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck in 2012, was surprised at her success which followed a third place finish on home ice in Lake Placid.

"I would have never expected that," she said.

"It’s unreal.

"My hard work in training has paid off.

Erin Hamlin retained the overall World Cup lead on a good day for the Americans
Erin Hamlin retained the overall World Cup lead on a good day for the Americans ©Getty Images

"I am more experienced now too.

"And of course it’s good to have two races in a row on our home tracks.

"I’m not setting myself any targets for the season, I’m just taking things one race at a time, one track at a time.”

Hamlin, the winner in Lake Placid, retained the overall World Cup lead and now has 231 points ahead of Britcher who has moved up to second on 225.

Eitberger is third on 209 ahead of Germany's double Olympic gold medallist and defending champion Natalie Geisenberger who has 205.

Geisenberger had to settle for fourth in Park City, on the course used for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, as she eyes a first World Cup win of the season.

Meanwhile, Germans Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt won the doubles competition, denying compatriots Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken their third win of the campaign.

The winning duo clocked 1:27:092 to relegate their rivals, who still lead overall, into second place, 0.475 behind.

Bronze went to Austrian pairing Peter Penz and Georg Fischler who were a further 0.587 in arrears. 

Action continues in Park City tomorrow with the men's competition - with no team relay scheduled for this leg of the World Cup season.



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