This weekend, the third stage of the FIL Junior World Cup in natural track luge took place on the 976 meter long Gumpfrei-track in Latsch/Laces (ITA). The hosts prevailed in all three races.

Latsch/Laces (FIL/01/14/2023) Italy was unstoppable at the Junior World Cup in Latsch/Laces: In the men's race, Alex Oberhofer (ITA) set the best time in both runs. Despite a big mistake in the finish curve, the local hero celebrated his second win of the season in 2:04.96 minutes, ahead of the Slovenian Ziga Kralj (+0.67 seconds) and Hannes Unterholzner (ITA/+1.11). In the overall standings, Oberhofer and Kralj are tied in the lead before the last race with 270 points each, ahead of Unterholzner (201).

Podium men (from left): Ziga Kralj (SLO), Alex Oberhofer (ITA) and Hannes Unterholzner (ITA)

In the women's singles, Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) and Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) fought a thrilling duel. After the first run, Ruetz was ahead of Castiglioni, but in the final run the local hero countered and pushed Ruetz off the lead by just 0.03 seconds. For Castiglioni it was the first win of the season, and the third victory in the Junior World Cup. Third place for Sarah Schiller (GER), 1.11 seconds behind. With 285 points, Ruetz leads the overall standings, ahead of Castiglioni (255) and Tina Stuffer (ITA/215).

Top 5 women (from left): Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), Sarah Schiller (GER), Tina Stuffer (ITA) and Lotte Mulser (ITA)

Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) won the double-seater race on Saturday. In the absence of their pursuers Jakub Mercak/Jan Janosek (CZE) Paur/Hofer also took the win in the overall World Cup standing.

The Junior World Cup is entering the finish straight, the grand finale is scheduled for the end of the month (January 27th/28th) in Umhausen (AUT). The Junior World Championships will conclude the thrilling season in February in Winterleiten (AUT).

Top 3 men’s singles
1. Alex Oberhofer (ITA), 2:04.96 minutes
2. Ziga Kralj (SLO), +0.67 seconds
3. Hannes Unterholzner (ITA), +1.11

Top 3 women’s singles
1. Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), 2:07.60 minutes
2. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), +0.03 seconds
3. Sarah Schiller (GER), 1+11