Russia's Semen Pavlichenko won twice in Sochi to be named the men's overall FIL Luge World Cup winner ©FIL

Russia's Semen Pavlichenko captured the overall International Luge Federation World Cup title after two victories today in front of a home crowd in Sochi.

Pavlichenko won the men's race before securing his World Cup title with victory in the concluding sprint event at the Sanki Sliding Centre, used for the 2014 Winter Olympics. 

The Russian recorded a total time of 1min 43.867sec in the opening race, defeating his compatriot Roman Repilov in 1:44.301 and Italy's Dominik Fischnaller in 1:44.327. 

"I'm not thinking about the overall World Cup at the moment," he said prior to the sprint event. 

"I'm concentrating exclusively on myself, the track and the sled."

Pavlichenko then triumphed in the sprint with a time of 35.566, in front of Repilov in 35.584 and fellow Russian Maksim Aravin in 35.615. 

These two victories gave Pavlichenko an unassailable lead of 788 points in the World Cup standings, 70 points more than his nearest opponent, Repilov.

Two-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion Felix Loch of Germany finished in third place with 685 points. 

The Russian relay team won in Sochi, finishing second in the overall World Cup standings ©FIL
The Russian relay team won in Sochi, finishing second in the overall World Cup standings ©FIL

Germany's Johannes Ludwig, who was leading the standings going into the event at Sochi, moved down to fourth with 666 points.

He came 12th and 10th in today's races to let his lead slip. 

This was Pavlichenko's first Luge World Cup title, having won four European Championships and the 2015 World Championships.

There was more success for Russia in front of a home crowd when they won the team relay event.

Viktoriia Demchenko, Pavilchenko, Aleksandr Denisev and Vladislav Antonov recorded the winning time of 2:45.272, faster than the time of 2:45.344 set by Germany's Natalie Geisenberger, Loch, Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken.

Latvia's Kendija Aparjode, Kristers Aparjods, Andris Sics and Juris Sics finished third in 2:45.399.

Despite their second place finish, Germany topped the relay standings with 525 points, with Russia in second with 455 points and Latvia in third with 410. 

Today's action in Sochi concluded the 2018-2019 luge season.