Page 10 - THE DA1'L HI HarkTheHerald com). Proo. Ltah. Monday, February RALD. 1, 2002 2002 WINTER GAMES X For luge athletes, this rivalry's real J t U PI r' PARK CITY To most Americans, luge is not just a cult sport, but one that only the truly demented ever master. Few of us, after all, understand the desire to hurtle feet-firdown a slope that drops nearly 40 stories at speeds approaching 90 mph. But to most Europeans, luge is NASCAR. Which makes it easier to understand why the rivalry between Georg Hackl, a German, and Markus Prock, a Austrian, is such a big thing. It's their version of Richard Petty vs. David Pearson. ANOTHER VIEW st Fourteen years after DAVID Cutting corners: Georg Hackl of Germany competes during the men's singles luge competition Sunday at Park Zoeggeler puEs pressure on age 35. With his JOHN KEKIS By AP Sports Writer CITY Georg Hackl came to the Winter Olympics determined to make history. After one day on the luge track, he found out it won't be easy. an Hackl, seeking PARK fourth unprecedented straight gold medal, trailed Armin Zoeggeler of Italy by 41 hundredths of a second after the first two heats of what became a riveting duel Sunday. It was Zoeggeler's night right from the start. With "about 13,000 fans lining the track and screaming Encouragement at all the jsliders, he broke his own track record twice an3 fin- ,17-tur- n MEN'S SINGLES After two runs 1. ArrrHn Zoeggeler, Italy 2. Georg Hackl, Germany 3. Markus Prock, Austria 4. Adam Heidt, Northport, 5. Karsten Albert, Germany N.Y. ished with an aggregate time of 1 rninute, 29.067 seconds. Trailing by 68 hun- dredths after the first heat, Hackl quickly proved why he, is the greatest luger in history and still a threat at r J. PHILLIP Thc Associated Press black-and-whi- te Hackl and Prock first locked runners at an Olympics, they were at it again at Utah Olympic Park, possibly for the final time. Also on hand was Armin Zoeggeler, a Italian who has come on in recent years to play the role of occasional spoiler Cale Yarborough. Zoeggeler, who sneaked between the two for the silver medal at Nagano, was first at the end of Sunday's .041 qualifying runs ahead of Hackl, who was .130 ahead of Prock. Zoeggeler did it by lowering his own track record here on each of his first two runs. But he had barely reached the bottom of the hill when he said, "There is .one coming behind me who will beat my time." Sure enough, Hackl took it down another notch. "I'm very satisfied with my second run," Hackl said. "But I'm angry at my starting times." But there was some con. . solation. "I'm glad," he said, "to be ahead of Markus Prock." ld City. CacCiQ Lewis in the long jump, Al Oerter in the discus, and Paul Elvstrom in sailing have accomplished the feat in the Summer Games. With any medal, Hackl will become the first winter athlete to make the podium in five consecutive Olympics. Markus Prock of Austria, who has finished second twice to Hackl in the Olympics, was in third at booties cutting through the icy air like a pair of lobster claws, the German stunned everybody with a run of 44.494 seconds, the fastest run of the day. "I was very satisfied with, the second run, but I'm angry with my starting times," Hackl said. "In training I was much better. In my mind, Zoeggeler was the 1:29.108. best in the world the past The crowd might have two years, but this track provided the biggest boost to suits my style perfectly." Adam Heidt of Northport, Another gold medal N.Y., who was fourth and in would place Hackl on yet medal contention heading another pedestal. No Wininto Monday's final two ter Olympian has ever won runs. No American slider the same event four has won a medal in singles straight times. See LUGE, 11 Four athletes Carl id Jim ( Litre The two first dueled at Calgary in 1988. Prock, who had just won the first of his 10 World Cup titles, came in as the favorite and exited a disappointing 11th. Hackl grabbed the silver, establishing a pattern in the big races that has never quite changed, even after more than a decade as the two most dominant figures in the sport. It left little doubt about who was ; always going to play the king. Should Hackl wrap up the gold after the finaLtwo runs today, he would become the first Winter Games competitor to win the same event in four consecutive Olympics. If he does, Prock probably will need to be wrapped in a straitjacket, hauled off and deposited in a nearby snowbank. "My goal is still a medal, but I made too many mistakes today," Prock said. "Without them, I would have competed for a gold." The history between these two would make a fascinating case study. The deepest Prock has veered into the subject was a few years ago, when he said, "I really don't like, to think about why Hackl k ', ! ( J i See LITKE, 4. IG8 rJcasy Br.sli: Guarantee! JJD V 111 !p I iTTItl C iTTilirnJrrni rvH.V CjV HI SMlimm x t i x Still quvi deal&i ajjtvi 23 Ifecvib! Come In Early For The Best Selection!!! www.MHHD.com 350 West 800 North Orem, Utah Monarch Honda 801-224-40- 70 honda.com be a responsible rider, always wear a helmet, eye HONDA protection and protective CLOTHING AND PLEASE RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT. OBEY THE LAW AND READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. Specifications and availability subject to change without notice. '4.9 APR financing for 36 months on any new Shadow A.C.E. 750, Shadow Spirit 750, VLX Deluxe, VLX, Rebel or Nighthawk through American Honda Finance Corporation 010202-02280"No down payment does not include tax, license and other fees. Check 2. upon approved credit. Offer good Honda Dealers for complete details. Magna? Honda Shadow A.C.E with participating Shadow Spirit,'" Rebef and Nighthawk are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 2002 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (102) Z7 ri pr-)-r-,- (olRAP i .! O i 1 1 -