Dukurs dominates Skeleton World Cup

IGLS - Latvian skeleton prodigy Martins Dukurs has won gold at the weekend's World Cup competition in Igls, Austria, easily securing him the title of World Cup 2009/2010 champion.

The victory was M. Dukurs' fourth out of the eight world cups that took place throughout the season, placing the Latvian well ahead of the competition and easily earning him the title of world champion.

The competition doubled as the European Championships, allowign 25-year-old M. Dukurs to claim that title as well.

The Sigulda native posted run times of 53.17 and 52.97, with a total time of 1:46.14. 

Martins Dukurs' older brother, Tomass, competed in the competition as well, placing fourth with a time of 1:47.02.

He finished a full 0.25 seconds ahead of Frank Rommel of German, who came in second with a total time of 1:46.39. 

The victory sets the stage for a good showing at this year's Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, where M. Dukurs will have a chance to prove his skill. Dukurs finished 7th in the 2006 Winter Games.