Favorites win in Meransen: Egle and Fischnaller fastest / Nagler-Malleier and Vötter-Oberhofer win the doubles startrace

Meransen (FIL/28 Aug 2023) On August 25 and 26, 2023, the Gitschberg Luge Start Cup on artificial ice took place for the 30th time in Meransen (South Tyrol, Italy).

The favorites from Italy and Austria were victorious. Overall World Cup winner Dominik Fischnaller (ITA) had the fastest start time after three runs, ahead of his teammate Leon Felderer and Austria's Nico Gleirscher. In the women's singles race, World Cup and Olympic fourth place finisher Austria’s Madeleine Egle was the fastest starter at the Gitschberg Cup. Andrea Vötter and Verena Hofer, both of Italy, finished on the podium.

In the doubles the Italians dominated on their home track: Ivan Nagler with Fabian Malleier took first place ahead of their teammates Felderer/Gufler and Rieder/Kainzwaldner. The overall World Cup winners Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer were also the fastest starters in the women's doubles, ahead of the World Cup runners-up Selina Egle and Lara Kipp (AUT) and the South Tyrolean juniors Nadja Falkensteiner and Annalena Huber.

ASV Gitschberg's International Start Cup took place for the 30th time this year. The national teams from Italy and Austria used the track in Meransen for their preparation. For the South Tyrolean artificial track luge athletes, Meransen is traditionally the "unofficial start of the season" and the beginning of the luge winter.

"The event has a great tradition, is an important starting point for our season preparation and we are happy about the many spectators and the perfect organization by ASV Gitschberg," said Italy's national coach Kurt Brugger.