1. News

Local hero Alex Gruber (ITA) hit the “Pföslriep-track“ in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA) in an impressive manner at the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track on Sunday. It was the sixth win on his favorite track for the 29-year-old. This intensifies the battle for the overall lead again. Here is the video with the highlights from the raceday.

Alex Gruber is from another world in Deutschnofen. The world champion 2017 and 2019 celebrated six of his 13 World Cup victories on the “Pföslriep-track”. On Sunday, Gruber set the best time in both runs, with a total time of 1:47.16 minutes he literally outclassed his competitors. Michael Scheikl (AUT/+0.75 seconds) and Thomas Kammerlander (AUT/+0.78 seconds) followed at a respectful distance in second and third place. For comparison: In the first three races of the season, the overall gap between the winner and the second place was 0.25 seconds (0.08/0.12/0.05).

Alex Gruber Deutschnofen 2022

13th victory for Alex Gruber (ITA)


“This track just suits me, I trained here a lot with my father as a child. You have to take risks here, but you shouldn't exaggerate either,” said Gruber, happy about his second win of the season. In the overall standings, the fight for the crown intensifies: Kammerlander is only 10 points ahead of Gruber with 355 points, Scheikl follows in third place with 280 points.

Italy won the second team competition of the season with Evelin Lanthaler/Alex Gruber (1:51.46 minutes) ahead of Austria with Tina Unterberger/Michael Scheikl (+1.65 seconds) and Russia with Ekaterina Lavrenteva/Grigory Bukin (+1.74 seconds).

Deutschnofen Podium Team

(from left) Scheikl/Unterberger (AUT), Gruber/Lanthaler (ITA) and Lavrenteva/Bukin (RUS)

The FIL luge World Cup on natural track is now heading for the highlight of the season. After a race-free weekend, the 29th FIL Luge European Championships on Natural Track are scheduled from February 10th to 13th in Laas/Lasa (ITA).

 

Top three men's singles, Deutschnofen 01/30/2022
1. Alex Gruber (ITA) 1:47.16 minutes
2. Michael Scheikl (AUT) +0.75 seconds
3. Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) +0.78 seconds