The hosts dominate the FIL World Cup in natural track luge in Jaufental/Val Giovo (ITA). Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Patrick Pigneter (ITA) won the night race on the 675 meter “Tonnerboden” track on Saturday evening.

Jaufental/Val Giovo (FIL/02/03/2024) World Cup victory number 48 for Evelin Lanthaler (ITA). The reigning world champion showed a flawless performance at the home World Cup and comfortably achieved her fifth win of the season. With the best time in both runs and a total time of 1:47.99 minutes, she was over 2.6 seconds faster than Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) in second place. Tina Stuffer (ITA) finished third and celebrates her first podium finish in the World Cup .

Podium women's singles (from left): Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Tina Stuffer (ITA)

“I'm actually not a fan of night races, but I think I showed two very good runs in these difficult conditions. The second run in particular was strong,” explains Landthaler, who is starting at the European Championships on Sunday as the defending champion.

Lanthaler leads the World Cup rankings with 500 points, ahead of Ruetz (400) and Tina Unterberger (AUT/277).

Triple victory in the men's single-seater

In the men's singles, veteran Patrick Pigneter (ITA) was a class of it’s own. Due to the mild temperatures, the ice on the natural track was softened and many athletes were unable to adapt optimally to the unfamiliar conditions. But not the record winner in the World Cup. Pigneter took the lead in the first run with a fantastic time, and in the second run he managed the lead to the finish line and took his 53rd World Cup victory in 1:46.25 minutes.  Fabian Brunner (ITA/+0.51 seconds) finished second and Matthias Lambacher (ITA/+1.34) third. For Brunner, second place is the best career result in the World Cup so far, for the doubles specialist Lambacher it is the first podium in a single-seater.

Podium men's singles (from left): Fabian Brunner (ITA), Patrick Pigneter (ITA) and Matthias Lambacher (ITA)

“I was able to adapt very well to the soft track today; I was extremely fast, especially in the first run. Now I’m looking forward to the European Championships on Sunday,” explains Pigneter.

Pigneter leads the overall standings with 485 points, ahead of Michael Scheikl (AUT/321) and Daniel Gruber (ITA/320).

On Sunday the European Championships in the women's singles, men's singles and the team competition are scheduled from 10 a.m. on the Tonnerboden track.

FIL World Cup natural track tobogganing Jaufental/Val Giovo, top 3 women’s singles
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA), 1:47.99 minutes
2. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), +2.62 seconds
3. Tina Stuffer (ITA), +2.68

FIL World Cup natural track tobogganing Jaufental/Val Giovo, top 3 men’s singles
1. Patrick Pigneter (ITA), 1:46.25 minutes
2. Fabian Brunner (ITA), +0.51 seconds
3. Matthias Lambacher (ITA), +1.34

The program
Sunday, February 4, 2024
10 a.m.: 1st run women's singles (European Championship)
10.30 a.m.: 1st run men's singles (European Championship)
11.30 a.m.: Final run women's singles (European Championship), followed by a flower ceremony
12.15 p.m.: Final run men's singles (European Championship), followed by a flower ceremony
1.45 p.m.: European Championship team competition
2.15 p.m.: Award ceremony for women's singles, men's singles and team competition