With summer fast approaching, it’s high time to look back on the 2025/2026 season in the FIL Alpine Luge World Cup.
Berchtesgaden (FIL/08 April 2026) The 2025/2026 Alpine Luge World Cup began in December with a double World Cup event in Winterleiten (AUT). From there, the tour moved on to Passeiertal/Val Passiria (ITA) and Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA), before culminating in the European Championships in Laas/Lasa (ITA). In February, the World Cup entered its final stretch, featuring the World Cup and Eliminator in Umhausen (AUT), followed by a thrilling finale in Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA).
Always trackside was FIL photographer Ulrich Wilhelm, who captured the finest moments with his camera – offering a first-hand glimpse into the competition days of the athletes.
Here are the best photos from the past season.
Winterleiten (AUT), 19–21 December 2025
Pure action: Jakub Mercak (CZE) carves through a corner and is lifting the luge…
There was also plenty of action beyond the finish line: in the doubles event, cousins Gabriel Halcin/Samuel Halcin crashed. With a few bruises, they returned to the start the following day – and secured third place…
Shared sorrow is halved, shared joy is doubled. Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) and Alex Oberhofer (ITA) shared their first World Cup victory, finishing in a tie for first place…
Passeiertal/Val Passiria (ITA), 3–4 January 2026
The new year began for the alpine lugers on the Bergkristall track. On this high-speed course, Nadine Staffler (ITA) had her big moment, receiving congratulations at the finish for her first World Cup victory…
Speaking of speed: with 86.02 km/h before the final bend, Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) raced to his first World Cup win, flexing his muscles at the finish…
Braking until the ice melts: Mason Palecek (USA)…
Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA), 17–18 January 2026
A special victory photo of Daniel Gruber (ITA). After his second win of the season, he lifts his luge into the air. This snapshot later appeared in an advertisement for federation sponsor EA7 in Italy’s largest sports newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport…
European Championships in Laas/Lasa (ITA), 24–25 January 2026
Swiss precision: Jerome Almer (SUI) takes a wide line through the corner, staying just millimetres from the wooden boards…
Žiga Kralj (SLO) narrowly missed out on a European Championship medal. He gives free rein to his disappointment after finishing fourth…
Nina Castiglioni (ITA) also lets her emotions run free. At just 16 years old, she is crowned European Champion at her first attempt…
Umhausen (AUT), 6–9 February 2026
Home races always have a special appeal for teams, as is evident even during course inspection. For (from left) Hannah Nagele, Alina Schaffenrath, Naomi Thöni and Simon Saurer (all AUT), the fun is not neglected…
Local favourite Leon Auer (AUT) celebrates his first podium finish…
And Tina Stuffer (ITA), who had been struggling with a dip in form, claims her first World Cup victory – surprising perhaps no one more than herself…
Maximum concentration at the start from Shohei Tanaka (SUI)…
Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA), 20–21 February 2026
Heavy snowfall at the World Cup final. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) first battles her way through the snow up to the start hut…
And shortly afterwards celebrating as the overall World Cup winner, shining alongside her crystal globe…
Patricija Urbanc (CRO) sends ice spraying at the “Hausbergkante”…
Florian Freigassner (AUT) flies low over the Tonnerboden track…
Among the season’s rising stars: the brothers Žiga and Vid Kralj (SLO)…
Always in high spirits: the FIL group with Thomas Matthews (USA), coach Jack Leslie (NZL), Mason Palecek (USA) and Louie Coburn (NZL)…
With these memories of an outstanding season, we wish you a wonderful summer.
