Russia confirmed their superiority on the second day in Inzell on Sunday retaining the title in the most emphatic way by racing through the whole meeting without dropping a single point.
Their top trio of Khomitsevich, Kolkatov and Kononov continued where they left off on Saturday and their score of 60 points is the highest in recent times.
The Austrian team were second thanks once again to the individual efforts of Franz Zorn who bagged 30 points in the meeting’s best individual performance. He was well assisted by Charly Ebner who took his total score to 15 despite a disqualification after falling in Heat 36.
Germany failed to consolidate their first day’s success despite the gallant efforts of veteran Günther Bauer who was beaten only by Zorn in a tense Heat 33, a result which saw the end of the home team’s silver medal hopes. The consolation was their first bronze medal for eight years.
Sweden could not improve on their day 1 position although Ove Ledström and Niclas Svensson both battled hard throughout the meeting. They needed a maximum score in their final race against the Germans but with Bauer on top form they could manage only to share the heat.
The Czech Republic podium chances fell away in a disastrous Heat 26 when both Klatovsky and Hutla were disqualified in separate incidents. They then allowed Sweden to take maximum points when they met in Heat 30 finishing in 5th Place on level points with Finland whose improved performance was not quite enough to overhaul the Czechs.
Inexperienced Switzerland though outclassed fought gamely throughout finishing at the bottom of the pile.
Final Scores:
Russia 60 (Kononov 22, Koltakov 22, Khomitsevich 16)
Austria 45 (Zorn 30, Ebner 15)
Germany 41 (Bauer 28, Niedermaier12, Weber 1)
Sweden 39 (N.Svensson 20, Ledström 12, S.Svensson 7,)
Czech Republic 25 (Klatovsky 16, Hutla 5, Divis 4)
Finland 25 (Tani11, Aakko 8, Järf 6)
Switzerland 14 (Gartmann 7, Häring 6, Cavigelli 1)
Graham Brodie