On Sunday, the second stage of the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track came to an end on the 955 meter long "Grantau"-track in Umhausen (AUT) with the race in the men's single. Alex Gruber (ITA) took the win at the 20th World Cup in Umhausen.

At the anniversary World Cup in Umhausen, the expected duel took place between the 2017 and 2019 world champion, Alex Gruber, and the reigning world champion, Thomas Kammerlander (AUT). Like a week ago, Gruber was again in the lead after the first run in front of Kammerlander, but this time the South Tyrolean couldn't be pushed off the lead. With a total time of 2:26.41 minutes he clinched his first World Cup victory since Vatra Dornei (ROU) 2020. Overall, it was the tenth World Cup victory for the 29-year-old. Kammerlander finished second with a deficit of 0.12 seconds, third place for Michael Scheikl (AUT), who proved his strong form with the best time in the second run.

Alex Gruber (ITA) on the way to his 10th world cup victory

“It was the same situation as a week ago, the eight hundredths down in the first race annoyed me a bit, so I took more risks in the finale today. The distances are so tight, you won't win anything with a safety run," Gruber gave an insight into his competition strategy.

(from left) Thomas Kammerlander (AUT), Alex Gruber (ITA) and Michael Scheikl (AUT)

After the second of seven races of the season, Kammerlander and Gruber are in the lead in the overall World Cup with 185 points each, followed by last year’s overall winner Michael Scheikl (140) and Florian Clara (ITA/115).

The FIL Luge World Cup on natural track is now moving to Romania, with the third station continuing in Vatra Dornei on January 22nd and 23rd.

Top three men’s single, Umhausen (01/16/2022)
1. Alex Gruber (ITA) 2:26.41 minutes
2. Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) +0.12 seconds
3. Michael Scheikl (AUT) +0.26 seconds