Anniversary victory for local hero Evelin Lanthaler. The 29-year-old celebrated her 30th victory on Saturday at the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track in Passeier (ITA). At the finish, Lanthaler was greeted by her teammates with a champagne shower. Fabian Achenrainer/Simon Achenrainer (AUT) took a maiden win in the doubles.

Champagne shower for Evelin Lanthaler at the finish

Evelin Lanthaler captured her 30th World Cup victory in an impressive manner on her home track. With best time in both runs and a total time of 1.52.75 minutes she relegated her teammate Greta Pinggera (+1.26 seconds) to second place. Ekaterina Lavrenteva (+2.08) from Russia came in third. "This is really a very emotional victory for me, celebrating my 30th victory in my hometown a few months before my 30th birthday is very special," said Lanthaler, who is leading the overall standings with 400 points ahead of Pinggera (340). Lavrenteva leads the all-time list with 59 World Cup victories.

(from left) Florian Clara/Patrick Pigneter (ITA), Simon Achenrainer/Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) and Ivan Lazarev/Pavel Porshnev (RUS)

There was a big surprise in the doubles: The youngsters Fabian Achenrainer/Simon Achenrainer (AUT) were already in the lead after the first run, in the decisive second run the cousins showed no nerves and celebrated their first victory in the World Cup in 1.56.92 minutes. The leaders of the World Cup ranking and winners on Friday, Patrick Pigneter/ Florian Clara (ITA), had to settle for second place, 0.42 seconds behind,  the Russians Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (+1.17 seconds) are following on third place. "I am completely speechless, beating the champions Pigneter/Clara in the Passeiertal is indescribable," said Fabian Achenrainer after his maiden victory, who is now with Simon Achenrainer one of the favorites at the World Championshiops scheduled from February 4th to 7th in Umhausen (AUT). “My compliments to Achenrainer/Achenrainer, they showed us today how you can be even faster here,” said Florian Clara, praising the rookies' performance.

On Sunday, the last day of the competition is on the program at the “Bergkristall”-track in Passeier, with the men's singles and the team competition.

Program FIL World Cup Passeiertal (4th World Cup)

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