Andreas and Wolfgang Linger – Austria’s Legendary Luge Brothers
Two brothers, one sled, and a legacy of gold.

Innsbruck (FIL/02 Dec 2025) When Andreas and Wolfgang Linger made their Olympic debut at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, few could have predicted the remarkable journey that lay ahead. The siblings from Absam, Tyrol, finished eighth in their first Olympic appearance in men’s doubles — a respectable start that would soon be eclipsed by history-making triumphs.

Olympic Glory for Austria

At the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, the Linger brothers achieved what had eluded Austrian luge for more than four decades: Olympic gold in men’s doubles. Their victory marked Austria’s first Olympic title in the event since Innsbruck 1964 and was the start of a golden era for the Lingers.

Four years later, they carried Austria’s flag into the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Under immense pressure and with the eyes of a nation upon them, Wolfgang and Andreas once again delivered a flawless performance on one of the world’s most challenging tracks. They defended their title in style, becoming the first Austrians to win two Olympic gold medals in luge — an extraordinary achievement that cemented their place among the sport’s greats.

Silver in Sochi and a Graceful Farewell

Aiming for an unprecedented “three-peat” at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, the brothers added one more medal to their remarkable collection — a silver, finishing behind Germany’s dominant duo Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt. With that result, the Linger brothers completed their Olympic career with three medals: two golds (2006, 2010) and one silver (2014).

Soon after Sochi, Andreas and Wolfgang announced their retirement from competitive luge. “We both have families back home. It’s not always easy to be on the road for weeks and even months every winter,” explained Wolfgang Linger at their farewell press conference in Vienna. Andreas added, “If we go out there and do a job, we want to give it 100 percent — and that drive had faded a little.”

A Career of Championships and Records

Over more than a decade at the top of the sport, the Lingers collected an enviable list of accolades:

• 3 Olympic medals: Gold (2006, 2010) and Silver (2014)
• 3 World Championship titles: 2003, 2011, 2012
• one European Championship title: 2010
• one Overall Luge World Cup title: 2011–2012
• 15 World Cup victories and 14 major championship medals, including success in the Team Relay

Their consistency, teamwork, and technical mastery made them one of the most successful doubles teams in luge history.

A Lasting Legacy

Today, the names Andreas and Wolfgang Linger are synonymous with Austrian luge excellence. Their journey — from young hopefuls on the Salt Lake City start ramp to double Olympic champions — remains a source of inspiration for generations of athletes who dream of standing atop the Olympic podium together.

Their story is not just about medals. It’s about brotherhood, precision, and the pursuit of perfection on ice.