Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) was missing the opening oft he FIL Luge World Cup on natural track in Winterleiten (AUT) in December. On Friday in Passeier (ITA) the Austrian triumphed on his comeback. In the women’s single, local hero Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) celebrated her 29th World Cup victory.

He came, saw and won: Thomas Kammerlander dominated the race on Friday on the "Bergkristall"-track in Passeier. With best time in both runs he celebrated an undisputed victory in 1.50.05 minutes, ahead of Patrick Pigneter (ITA / + 0.85 seconds). Alex Gruber (ITA) and Michael Scheikl (AUT) share third place, 1.03 seconds back. “I'm very happy, winning in Passeier was one of my goals for the season. I dedicate this victory to my daughter Lena, who was born a few days ago“, explained neo-father Kammerlander after the race.

Winner Thomas Kammerlander (AUT)

In the overall World Cup, Scheikl keeps wearing the leader's yellow jersey with 270 points, followed by Pigneter (240), Gruber (200) and Christian Schopf (AUT / 195).

There was an extremely exciting race in the women’s single. After the first run, the Italians Evelin Lanthaler and Greta Pinggera were leading with the same time. In the final, Lanthaler performed very well and celebrated her 29th World Cup victory with a total time of 1.53.56 minutes, ahead of Pinggera (+0.67 seconds) and Daniela Mittermair (ITA / 0.80). For this trio it is the second triple victory this season. “It was a difficult race, I was extremely nervous before the first run. Maybe it was the pressure that I put on myself, ”said Lanthaler after the race. “It wasn't the snowfall, everyone did a great job. The marshals kept the track clean, and the trainers along the track also helped cleaning“, she praised the organizers. Lanthaler leads the overall ranking with a maximum of 300 points, Pinggera (255) and Mittermair (200) follow in the places.

(from left) Greta Pinggera (ITA), Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Daniela Mittermair (ITA)

In the doubles, the favorites Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) celebrated their third win in a row with a total time of 1.56.04 minutes, ahead of their teammates Patrick Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (+0.61 seconds). The reigning European Champions started the race handicapped after a training injury, after finishing fourth in the first run they started a brilliant catch-up in the decisive second run. Third place for the Russians Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (+0.79), who crowned their first race of the season with a podium place. “In the first run we had a small mistake, the second run was great. We're really in very good shape in doubles at the moment“, said Patrick Pigneter.

Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara celebrated their third victory

In addition to Russia, Brazil also returned to the World Cup in the Passeier Valley, both nations had to skip the start due to the corona pandemic.

Because of the heavy snowfall, there were intermittent disruptions in the livestream, the second World Cup in the Passeier on Saturday and Sunday should be broadcast in the usual quality on the FIL homepage.

Program FIL World Cup Passeiertal (4th World Cup)

Saturday, January 16 (4th World Cup)
10.00 a.m. doubles (1st run)
10.30 a.m. women‘s single (1st run)
11.15 a.m. doubles (final)
12.00 p.m. women‘s single (final)

Sunday 17th January (4th World Cup)
9.30 a.m. men’s single (1st run)
11.00 a.m. men’s single (final)
12.45 p.m. team competition