Sochi 2014: Felix Loch retains men's luge title

Germany's Felix Loch retained his Winter Olympics men's luge title by winning gold at the Sochi Games.

Loch, also the world champion, clocked a total time of three minutes 27.526 seconds to hold off Russia's Albert Demchenko, who won silver.

Demchenko, who won the host nation's fourth medal of the day, was only 0.476 seconds behind 24-year-old Loch.

Italy's Armin Zoeggeler won a sixth medal in six Olympic Games with bronze, 1.271 seconds behind.

Loch began the evening's action in pole position for the gold medal, having moved into top spot during Saturday's two runs, the second of which had seen him set a new course record of 51.964 seconds.

He proceeded by lowering the record even further in his third run, posting a time of 51.613secs, and his fourth and final effort then came in at 51.764s, giving him an aggregate time of 3:27.526.

"It was very difficult, in Russian territory, against Russia and against Armin," said Loch. "I'm so relieved now."

To see a gallery of photographs from Sunday's action go to the BBC Sport Facebook page