A Classic at the Halfway Point of the Alpine Luge World Cup
European Championship Dress Rehearsal in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente
Halfway through the Alpine Luge World Cup 2025/2026. From 16–18 January, the fourth Alpine Luge World Cup will take place in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA). The “Pföslriep” track is a classic on the racing calendar and, this year, serves as the dress rehearsal for the European Championships from 23–25 January in Laas/Lasa (ITA).
Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente is ready for the World Cup 2025/2026
Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (FIL/14 January 2026) After last season’s much-celebrated finale, the 785-metre natural luge track “Pföslriep” returns to the World Cup at its traditional January date. Ahead of the fourth race, Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) leads the women’s singles standings with 285 points, followed by Nina Castiglioni (ITA/220), Nadine Staffler (ITA/200) and Lisa Walch (GER/190). Local favourite Daniela Mittermair (ITA), who finished second here last year, is aiming for her first World Cup victory.
New Winner in the Men’s Event?
In the men’s singles, the first three World Cups have produced four different winners. Daniel Gruber (ITA) claimed victory at the opening race in Winterleiten (AUT). The second race in Winterleiten saw a shared win, with Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) and Alex Oberhofer (ITA) finishing level, while Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) most recently celebrated his maiden World Cup victory in Passeier/Val Passiria (ITA). As a result, the overall World Cup standings are extremely close: Gruber (255) leads Unterholzner (240) and Achenrainer (215).
Comeback for Pichler/Edlinger
Good news comes from the doubles event: reigning European Champions Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) are returning to the World Cup following Pichler’s injury break. The winners of the first two races in Winterleiten currently share third place in the overall standings with Gabriel Halcin/Samuel Halcin (SVK), all on 200 points, behind Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA/240) and reigning World Champions Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA/245).
First Team Competition
The team competition (women’s singles/men’s singles) will be held for the first time this season. The fastest female luger and the fastest male luger from each nation will form a team. The female athlete starts first; once she has crossed the finish line, the start gate opens within a set time window and the male athlete sets off. The two times are then added together.
The races in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente on Saturday and on Sunday, the World Luge Day 2026, will be broadcast via livestream on the website of the International Luge Federation (FIL) www.fil-luge.org.
Programme
Friday, 16 January 2026
7.00 pm: Team captains’ meeting
From 9.00 pm: World Cup party in the pavilion with “Party Volk”
Saturday, 17 January 2026
9.00 am: Nation training – women’s singles and men’s singles
11.00 am: Nation training – women’s singles and men’s singles
1.00 pm: Nation training – doubles
2.00 pm: Competition run – doubles, followed by flower ceremony and prize-giving for doubles
6.00 pm: Opening ceremony in the pavilion
From 9.00 pm: Festivities in the pavilion
Sunday, 18 January 2026
10.00 am: 1st competition run – women’s singles
10.30 am: 1st competition run – men’s singles
11.30 am: Final run – women’s singles, followed by flower ceremony
12.15 pm: Final run – men’s singles, followed by flower ceremony
1.30 pm: Team competition, followed by flower ceremony
2.00 pm: Prize-giving ceremony – women’s singles, men’s singles and team competition
