US Lugers Dominate Home Race

Emily Fischnaller, Jonny Gustafson, Chan/Gordon, and Mueller/Haugsjaa win 3rd FIL Nations Cup in Lake Placid (USA)

Lake Placid (The FIL/18 Dec 2025) On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Olympic track at Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid (USA) was the venue for the qualifying rounds for the 3rd EBERSPÄCHER Luge Trial Course World Cup. In mild winter conditions, the decisions were made in the men's doubles, women's doubles, men's singles, and women's singles.

Men's doubles: Home victory for Mueller/Haugsjaa

The US duo Marcus Mueller/Ansel Haugsjaa celebrated a home victory in the men's doubles at the Nations Cup. With a clean and consistent run, they stopped the clock at 43.788 seconds and reached a top speed of 114.17 km/h.

Their teammates Dana Kellogg/Frank Ike followed closely behind in second place, just 0.082 seconds behind. Italians Ivan Nagler/Fabian Malleier completed the podium in third place, 0.226 seconds behind the winning time.

“It's an incredible feeling. We had a pretty good run and are super happy,” said Marcus Mueller, and his teammate Ansel Haugsjaa added: “It's fun when the home crowd cheers you on. It's definitely better than usual in Germany or Europe. It feels great, we've improved a few things and are hoping for tomorrow.”

Women's doubles: Chan/Gordon fastest

In the women's doubles, Maya Chan/Sophia Gordon (USA) proved to be the strongest. The American duo achieved a winning time of 44.687 seconds, securing qualification via the Nations Cup and starting number two for the World Cup race on Friday, December 19. Latvia's Marta Robezniece/Kitija Bogdanova took second place with a time of 44.951 seconds (+0.264) and will start tomorrow's race with start number one.

Women's singles: Emily Fischnaller leads US success

The Nations Cup in the women's singles went to the USA once again, as Emily Fischnaller posted the fastest run of the day. The American secured victory with a time of 44.279 seconds. Zane Kaluma (LAT) took second place with a time of 44.607 seconds, 0.328 seconds behind, while Sandra Robatscher (ITA) took third place with 44.688 seconds (+0.409). A total of 27 athletes had registered for the Nations Cup. The 18 fastest qualified for the World Cup. Emily Fischnaller: “It was fun today. My run was good. I always ride a little defensively in the Nations Cup. The goal is to qualify. I feel good and the medal looks very nice, it's something different.”

Men's singles: Gustafson leads US double victory

In the men's singles, the host country put in a strong performance: Jonathan Eric Gustafson (USA) took the win with a time of 51.541 seconds, with a fast and confident run. His teammate Tucker West (USA) followed closely behind in second place, just 0.033 seconds behind the winner with a time of 51.574 seconds. Matvei Perestoronin (AIN) completed the podium in third place with a time of 51.628 seconds (+0.087).

A total of 33 athletes from 35 registered sleds were classified. There were two crashes and no disqualifications.

The FIL Nations Cup on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in Lake Placid served as a qualifying race for unseeded athletes for the upcoming World Cup in Upstate New York, USA.

Detailed results and further information on the 3rd EBERSPÄCHER Luge trial course World Cup in Lake Placid (USA) are available at the following links:

fil-luge.org/en/media/eberspaecher-world-cup-45

Schedule 3rd EBERSPÄCHER Luge trial course World Cup, Lake Placid (USA)

Local start time (CET/MEZ)

Friday, December 19, 2025

3:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m.) Men's doubles, 1st run
3:50 p.m. (9:50 p.m.) Women's doubles, 1st run

4:45 p.m. (10:45 p.m.) Men's doubles, 2nd run
5:25 p.m. (11:25 p.m.) Women's doubles, 2nd run

6:30 p.m. (12:30 a.m.) Women's singles, 1st run
8:05 p.m. (2:05 a.m.) Women's singles, 2nd run

Saturday, December 20, 2025

12:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m.) Men's singles, 1st run
1:25 p.m. (7:25 p.m.) Men's singles, 2nd run

2:45 p.m. (8:45 p.m.) Mixed doubles
3:50 p.m. (9:50 p.m.) Mixed singles

All information is subject to change!