Julia Taubitz takes luge gold for Germany after Fraebel blunder

(Photo credit: REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel)

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy -- Germany's Julia Taubitz won an emphatic Olympic gold in the women's luge singles on Tuesday, roaring home with tears in her eyes after compatriot Merle Fraebel had a terrible third run to drop out of contention.

Elina Bota finished second to become the first Latvian woman to claim an individual medal in any Winter Olympic sport, with As