As at the start of the season: Degenhardt/Rosenthal win ahead of Egle/Kipp

5th EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup in Winterberg

Winterberg (FIL/January 11, 2026) For Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal, the doubles race at the EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup in Winterberg was initially one of nine World Cup races this season. And yet it was something very special. The duo from Germany, who are three-time world champions, have not yet qualified for the Olympic Games because their teammates Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina were more consistent and Germany usually only gets one starting place for the new women's doubles discipline.

In this respect, their victory in 1:26.710 minutes was of great significance to them. “We went all in this week,” admitted front woman Degenhardt. The duo triumphed as they did at the start of the season. “We just feel comfortable on this track,” said Degenhardt. Degenhardt/Rosenthal consolidated their third place in the World Cup with this victory. But what about the Olympics? “We're waiting to see if anyone can move up,” explained Rosenthal, “if there is a replacement, then hopefully we'll be in first place.”

The situation looks much more relaxed for Selina Egle and Lara Kipp. The Austrians defended their lead in the overall World Cup with their second place, exactly one tenth of a second behind the winners. They are satisfied with second place, partly because the Winterberg ice channel is not their preferred track. “You have to try to get off to a good start and ski relaxed,” explained pilot Egle. They did not manage to do either of these things 100 percent, especially in the first run.

With Eitberger/Matschina in third place, the podium was identical to that at the season opener. They were 0.369 seconds behind the winners. “We're not dissatisfied,” said Eitberger, “but both runs could have been a little better in the lower section. If we hit cleanly, we can also stand up to Egle/Kipp.”

The young German duo Elisa-Marie Storch/Pauline Patz came in fourth, 0.492 seconds behind. Behind them, as was the case a week ago in Sigulda, were the two US pairs Chevonne Forgan/Sophia Kirkby (0.605) and Maya Chan/Sophia Gordon (0.709).

The results of the 5th EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup in Winterberg can be found at the following link: https://www.fil-luge.org/en/media/eberspaecher-world-cup-47