Daniel Gruber Crowned Overall Champion for the First Time
Fifth place at the final of the FIL Alpine Luge World Cup is enough
The FIL Alpine Luge World Cup 2025/2026 concluded on Saturday evening with the final in Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA). In the women’s singles, the “Azzurri” celebrated a clean sweep of the podium, while in the men’s singles the hosts secured a triple victory.
Daniel Gruber (ITA) on the way to his first overall World Cup win
Jaufental/Val di Giovo (FIL/21/02/2026) The 660-metre Tonnerboden track at the Wipptal Luge Centre once again lived up to its reputation as a venue guaranteeing unpredictable results at the 2025/2026 season finale. During the night race held in heavy snowfall, European Champion Nina Castiglioni (ITA) celebrated her first World Cup victory ahead of her older sister Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) and Nadine Staffler (ITA).
With a flawless second run, Nina Castiglioni, who had been third after the first run, moved into the lead with a total time of 1:46.33 minutes. Nadine Staffler, second at halfway, had to settle behind the World Cup newcomer with a deficit of 0.53 seconds. Jenny Castiglioni, who had led after the first run, failed to find the fastest line and missed out on her first World Cup victory by 0.30 seconds. Overall World Cup winner Riccarda Ruetz (AUT/+1.24 seconds) had to be content with fifth place on the day of Nina Castiglioni’s maiden win.
(from left) Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), Nina Castiglioni (ITA) and Nadine Staffler (ITA)
“I have no words. The second run was extremely good. To finish the season with my first World Cup win is simply wonderful,” said Nina Castiglioni in tears. “Of course I would have liked to win, but my second run wasn’t quite as good. However, I’m absolutely delighted for my sister,” explained 20-year-old Jenny Castiglioni.
In the women’s singles, Riccarda Ruetz had already secured the overall title before the final. In the end, the Austrian finished with 610 points, more than 100 points ahead of Nina Castiglioni (501) and Lisa Walch (GER/480), who slipped back to third place in the overall standings after finishing sixth in the final.
“There was no easing off; I race to win every event. But today we probably made the wrong setup choice in the first run. It’s a shame the season is already over,” said Ruetz after receiving her first big crystal globe. “Winning the overall World Cup means a lot to me. It has been my best season so far.”
Gruber Crowned Overall Champion
In the men’s singles, Daniel Gruber (ITA) and Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) were still battling for the overall World Cup title at the final. Both showed signs of nerves in the first run: Gruber was “only” fourth at halfway, Achenrainer fifth. After the second run, Achenrainer finished fourth, just two hundredths of a second ahead of Gruber in fifth place. This result was enough for Gruber to secure his first overall World Cup globe with a total of 580 points, ahead of Achenrainer (530) and Hannes Unterholzner (ITA/424).
“The relief is enormous. On the way to the final, it really dawned on me for the first time that I could win the overall title. That wasn’t a good idea, as I put pressure on myself and almost messed it up. Now I just want to celebrate,” laughed Gruber. “The snowfall and the soft ice didn’t really suit me, and that’s something I need to work on,” admitted Achenrainer, who congratulated Gruber on his outstanding season: “He is a worthy overall Champion.”
The day’s victory went to Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) with a total time of 1:43.90 minutes, having set the fastest time in both runs. His team-mates Matthias Lambacher (ITA/+0.51 seconds) and Alex Oberhofer (ITA/+0.53) completed the podium.
Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) was the fastest on the Tonnerboden-track
“These were two strong runs. The conditions were difficult, but I adapted well,” said Unterholzner after claiming his second win of the season. “The track in Jaufental clearly suits me,” added doubles specialist Matthias Lambacher, who first stood on the singles podium in Jaufental during the 2023/2024 World Cup season. “That’s also one of the reasons why we will probably no longer compete in doubles. My brother Peter and I want to focus more on singles, as it has become almost impossible to compete successfully in both disciplines.”
Italy won the Nations Cup with 5,372 points, ahead of Austria (3,798) and Germany (1,030). A total of 12 nations scored World Cup points this season.
Andreas Castiglioni, Director for Sport and Technology Alpine Luge, drew an entirely positive conclusion to the 2025/2026 Alpine Luge World Cup season: “The new generation delivered. We had an extremely exciting season, with four first-time winners in both the women’s and men’s singles. The organising clubs also raised the Alpine Luge World Cup to a new level with excellent events.”
Walter Volgger, head of the organising committee in Jaufental, was very satisfied with the World Cup final, held for the first time on the Tonnerboden track: “The weather perhaps wasn’t entirely on our side — wet snowfall is never ideal. But it showed that we worked well throughout the winter. The ice held and it was an absolutely fair race for everyone. Our volunteers did a great job, as the track workers tirelessly cleared the fresh snow. We wanted to organise a worthy World Cup final, and we achieved that.”
The only major event still missing from the Tonnerboden track’s racing calendar is a senior World Championship, which is expected to take place in 2029, following the FIL Youth Games next year.
Top 3 Women’s Singles, Final Jaufental
1. Nina Castiglioni (ITA), 1:46.33 minutes
2. Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), +0.30 seconds
3. Nadine Staffler (ITA), +0.53 seconds
Top 3 Men’s Singles, Final Jaufental
1. Hannes Unterholzner (ITA), 1:43.90 minutes
2. Matthias Lambacher (ITA), +0.51 seconds
3. Alex Oberhofer (ITA), +0.53 seconds
Overall World Cup
Top 3 Women’s Singles
1. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) – 610 points
2. Nina Castiglioni (ITA) – 501 points
3. Lisa Walch (GER) – 480 points
Top 3 Men’s Singles
1. Daniel Gruber (ITA) – 580 points
2. Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) – 530 points
3. Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) – 424 points
Top 3 Doubles
1. Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) – 585 points
2. Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) – 560 points
3. Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) – 540 points
