Langenhan, Germany dominate on final day of luge's world championships

WHISTLER, British Columbia (AP) — History for Max Langenhan. History for Felix Loch.

Once again, Germany proved its dominance at the luge world championships — finishing off in style Saturday with a two more gold medals, giving the perennial power five wins in seven events over the weekend.

Langenhan became the fifth luge athlete to win back-to-back men's singles world championships — holding off German teammate Felix Loch for the gold medal.

“This is an absolute dream day,” Langenhan said. ”Standing at the top of the podium with Felix is awesome.”

Loch won silver, his record-setting 11th career men's singles medal at worlds. He had been tied with Italy's Armin Zöggeler before Saturday's silver. Austria's Nico Gleirscher was third.

The top U.S. finisher was Jonny Gustafson, who placed eighth.

In the team relay, the German team of Langenhan, Julia Taubitz, Hannes Orlamuender and Paul Gubitz on one doubles sled, Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal on the other, won the last gold medal awarded on the weekend.

Austria was second in the relay and Canada, on home ice, was third — one spot ahead of the U.S.

Luge's World Cup season resumes next weekend in Pyeongchang, South Korea. It's expected that some sliders will skip the season's two remaining World Cup stops, first Pyeongchang and then the finale in two weeks at Yanqing, China.

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Germany's Max Langenhan, top center,, is hoisted by Germany's Felix Loch, left, who finished second, and Austria's Nico Gleirscher, who finished third, after Langenhan men's singles event at the Luge World Championships in Whistler, British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Germany's Max Langenhan, top center, is hoisted by Germany's Felix Loch, left, who finished second, and Austria's Nico Gleirscher, who finished third, after Langenhan men's singles event at the Luge World Championships in Whistler, British Columbia, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Germany's Max Langenhan, front, is congratulated by compatriot Felix Loch, back, who finished second, after Langenhan won the men's singles event at the Luge World Championships, in Whistler, B.C., on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Germany's Max Langenhan, front right, is congratulated by compatriot Felix Loch, back, who finished second, after Langenhan won the men's singles event at the Luge World Championships, in Whistler, B.C., on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Germany's Felix Loch, back left, who finished second, celebrates with compatriot Max Langenhan after Langenhan won the men's singles event at the Luge World Championships, in Whistler, B.C., on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Germany's Max Langenhan, front right, is congratulated by compatriot Felix Loch, back, who finished second, after Langenhan won the men's singles event at the Luge World Championships, in Whistler, B.C., on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)