The Junior World Cup in natural track luge ended in Umhausen (AUT) on Sunday. In all three categories (women's singles/men's singles/doubles) the "Azzurri" celebrated not only the race-victories, but also the overall victories.

Umhausen (FIL/29.01.2023) Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) celebrated her second win of the season in an impressive manner on the "Grantau"-track. With the best time in both runs (total time 2:33.23 minutes), the 17-year-old clearly beat Sarah Schiller (GER/+1.96 seconds ) and Katharina Hofer (ITA/+2.90). After the fourth and last stage, Castiglioni won the overall standings for the first time in her career with two victories, a second and a third place and a total of 355 points, followed by her teammate Tina Stuffer (290 points) and Schiller (265). Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), who won the first two races and had to end the season prematurely after an injury, finished fourth with 200 points.

(from left) Tina Stuffer (ITA), Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) and Sarah Schiller (GER)

There was a quadruple victory for the Italians in the men's singles. Junior World Champion Fabian Brunner (ITA) showed an outstandig performance and won in 2:29.04 minutes, followend by his teammates Hannes Unterholzner (+2.12 seconds), Anton Gruber Genetti (+3.23) and Alex Oberhofer (+3.66), fifth place for Florian Freigassner (AUT/+3.96). Brunner, who was on the podium in the general class World Cup in Jaufental, secured the overall victory with 385 points, ahead of the winner of the opening race in Winterleiten (AUT) Alex Oberhofer (315) and Hannes Unterholzner (286).

(from left) Alex Oberhofer (ITA), Fabian Brunner (ITA) and Hannes Unterholzner (ITA)

In the doubles on Saturday, Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) narrowly beat their teammates Anton Gruber Genetti/Hannes Unterholzner (+0.02 seconds) on the 955 meter long “Grantau”-track in 1:20.56 minutes. Third place for the Junior World Champions Matevz Vertelj/Vid Kralj (SLO/0.48). Gruber Genetti/Unterholzner took the overall victory with 370 points, followed by Paur/Hofer (355) and Vertelj/Kralj (295).

(from left) Andreas Hofer/Tobias Paur (ITA), Hannes Unterholzner/Anton Gruber Genetti (ITA) and Matevz Vertelj/Vid Kralj (SLO)

The highlight of the season is just around the corner. The Junior European Championships in natural track luge are scheduled from February 3rd to 5th in Mariazell (AUT).