The countdown for the new season in the FIL World Cup in natural track luge is underway, the starting signal for the 2023/2024 World Cup will be given in mid-December in Kühtai (AUT).

Sports Director Natural Track, Andreas Castigioni

Berchtesgaden (FIL/29.11.2023) With the 2023/2024 season, a new era begins for natural track luge. The World Cup dominator of the past few years, Thomas Kammerlander (AUT), has ended his career, as has the reigning World Champion Alex Gruber (ITA) and former World Champion Greta Pinggera (ITA). These greats of natural track luge are stepping back for the next generation. The “young wild ones” are already in the starting blocks. At the upcoming start of the World Cup, we spoke to natural track sports director Andreas Castiglioni about the new season.

FIL: Three all-time greats have put their luge in the basement. How painful are these resignations for the International Luge Federation?
Andreas Castiglioni: “When three World Champions or former World Champions end their careers at the same time, it is always a loss. Pinggera, Gruber and Kammerlander have clearly left their mark on natural track luge over the last ten years and left an indelible mark. But now there is an opportunity for young athletes in particular to move forward.”

FIL: Who do you think will take advantage of this opportunity?
Castiglioni: “It’s hard to say, the first races will show who can take advantage of the moment. Some athletes have what it takes, for example the junior world champions Fabian Brunner (ITA) and Daniel Gruber (ITA). But I would warn against writing off the old hands Patrick Pigneter (ITA) and Michael Scheikl (AUT). Both of them definitely want to hit hard again; for Pigneter, for example, a 50th World Cup victory and a twelfth overall victory would be possible in singles.”

FIL: And for the women?
Castiglioni: “Well, the dominator of the last few years, Evelin Lanthaler (ITA), is still active among the women. The power structure hasn't actually changed. But, alongside Pinggera, also Michelle Diepold (AUT) has ended her career, and now there is a little more space on the podium, let’s say. Therefor Juniors-World Champion Lisa Walch (GER) and others have to push forward and try to put Tina Unterberger (AUT) and Lanthaler under pressure.”

FIL: The racing calendar promises an interesting World Cup winter…
Castiglioni: “The 2023/2024 season could really be groundbreaking. The World Cup begins on the new track in Kühtai. In the past, the races in Kühtai were held on temporary tracks that were cut into the snow specifically for the World Cup and then eliminated. The new track is a permanent facility that can be used by tourists after the World Cup. Another relatively new track is Jaufental, where, after the World Cup premiere last year, a World Cup and the European Championships will now be held in February. The World Cup finale is also planned in Romania, so it will be exciting until the end.”

FIL: What about the youngsters on the natural track?

Castiglioni: “The Junior World Cup is very popular, both among young athletes and organizers. The juniors will crown their world champions again next winter, from February 9th to 11th in Winterleiten. And with Ultental we have a new track in the calendar, and the legendary track in Latsch is also making its comeback on an international level."

The World Cup calendar at a glance
1. Kühtai (AUT), December 16th/17th 2023
2. Lasa/Lasa (ITA), January 6th/7th 2024
3. Umhausen (AUT), January 18th/19th/20th/21st
4. Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA), February 1st/2nd
5. Vatra Dornei (ROU), February 15th/16th
6. Vatra Dornei (ROU), February 17th/18th (finale)

European Championships
Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA), February 3rd/4th 2024