A thrilling finish marked the conclusion of the second FIL Natural Track Luge World Cup in Winterleiten (AUT) on Sunday. Local hero Michael Scheikl (AUT) celebrated his second win of the season in the men's singles competition.
Michael Scheikl celebrating his next win in Winterleiten
Winterleiten (FIL/22.12.2024) On the 940-metre-long natural track in the Styrian Zirbenland, multiple track records were broken on the previous day. However, on Sunday, during the second World
Cup, the ice was slightly slower—yet the race was filled with excitement. Michael Scheikl was in second place after the first run, trailing Daniel Gruber (ITA) by 0.04 seconds and ahead of Florian Clara (ITA) by just 0.02 seconds. In the second run, Alex Oberhofer, fifth at halftime, raised the stakes with a remarkable time, taking the lead with a total time of 2:01.10 minutes. Clara followed closely behind, but Scheikl surpassed Oberhofer's time with 2:00.82 minutes, securing the top position. Gruber, unable to perform a strong run, dropped to fifth place in the final standings.
"My experience definitely helped today; I had nothing to lose in the second run. Starting the season with two wins is just fantastic. After last season's challenges, this feels like Christmas and Easter at once," said the 2020/2021 overall champion, who leads the World Cup standings with 200 points ahead of Oberhofer (170) and Fabian Brunner (ITA/130).
Lanthaler Unstoppable
In the women's singles, serial winner Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) extended her dominance, securing her 53rd World Cup victory with the fastest times in both runs and a total time of 2:02.20 minutes. She was followed by her long-time rival Tina Unterberger (AUT) at +1.18 seconds and Tina Stuffer (ITA) at +1.62 seconds.
For Unterberger, this marked her 30th career podium finish, while Stuffer—who also competes in the Junior World Cup—secured her second FIL World Cup podium.
"I felt some pressure today, especially after the first run. The second run went much better, and I was faster than in the first," said Lanthaler.
Evelin Lanthaler claimed her 53rd victory
The top three women will continue their season with national championships over the New Year. Lanthaler leads the overall standings with the maximum 200 points, ahead of Unterberger (145) and Mittermair (140).
Double Victory for Pichler/Edlinger
In the doubles competition, Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) delivered another dominant performance. After winning on Saturday, the European champions started Sunday’s race wearing
the leaders' bib for the first time. They secured their third World Cup victory with a time of 1:04.55 minutes, ahead of junior world champions Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) at +1.06 seconds and Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) at +1.31 seconds.
"It was a fantastic race; we were always 'in the zone,' and the margin of over a second surprised us a bit. The leader's jersey suits us, and we don’t plan on giving it up," said Pichler at the finish.
Pichler/Edlinger lead the overall standings with 200 points, ahead of Paur/Hofer (170) and Lambacher/Lambacher (140).
The third FIL Natural Track Luge World Cup will take place on 5-6 January 2025 in Laas/Lasa (ITA).
Top 3 Men's Singles (22.12.2024)
1. Michael Scheikl (AUT) – 2:00.82 minutes
2. Alex Oberhofer (ITA) – +0.28 seconds
3. Florian Clara (ITA) – +0.33 seconds
Top 3 Women's Singles (22.12.2024)
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) – 2:02.62 minut
2. Tina Unterberger (AUT) – +1.18 seconds
3. Tina Stuffer (ITA) – +1.62 seconds
Top 3 Doubles (22.12.2024)
1. Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) – 1:04.55 minutes
2. Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) – +1.06 seconds
3. Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) – +1.31 seconds
