FIL Alpine Luge World Cup Final: Thrilling battle for the overall title
Crystal Globe to be decided at the Night Race in Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA)
The FIL Alpine Luge World Cup 2025/2026 is entering its final stretch. This coming weekend (20–21 February 2026), the overall titles in men’s singles and doubles will be decided in Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA). The only athlete who has already secured the overall World Cup is Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) in the women’s singles.
Crystal Globe to be decided at the Night Race in Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA)
Jaufental/Val di Giovo (FIL/17 February 2026) – With a run time of just over 50 seconds, the Tonnerboden track at the Wipptal Luge Centre is one of the shorter venues on the Alpine Luge World Cup circuit, but that does nothing to diminish the excitement – quite the opposite. A key section of the 660-metre track is the “finish S”, where a great deal of time can be gained – or lost.
At the first World Cup final ever held on this track, which was built only in 2017, three doubles teams will battle it out for the overall title on Friday night. After six of seven races, Tobias Paur / Andreas Hofer (ITA) lead the standings for the first time with 490 points, narrowly ahead of the reigning World and European Champions Matthias Lambacher / Peter Lambacher (ITA) on 485 points – whichever of these two teams finishes ahead will take home the Crystal Globe. The overall winners of 2024/2025, Maximilian Pichler / Nico Edlinger (AUT) on 455 points, have only mathematical chances remaining.
The new leaders in the doubles overall standing: Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA)
Gruber in the role of favourite
In the men’s singles, Daniel Gruber (ITA, 525 points) goes into the Saturday night final with a comfortable 55-point lead over Fabian Achenrainer (AUT, 470 points). Achenrainer has been in outstanding form recently, with two victories in Umhausen (AUT). If Achenrainer will win the final (100 points), Gruber would need to finish at least seventh (46 points) to secure his first ever Crystal Globe. Gruber’s best overall World Cup result to date is fifth in the 2023/2024 season, while Achenrainer’s best was sixth in 2021/2022.
Ruetz first Austrian overall winner in 27 years
With her victory in the Eliminator in Umhausen two weeks ago, Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) clinched the women’s singles overall title one race before the end of the season. She is the first Austrian overall winner since Elvira Holzknecht (AUT) in the 1998/1999 season. Behind Ruetz, Lisa Walch (GER, 430 points) and European Champion Nina Castiglioni (ITA, 401 points) are battling for second place.
After training on Friday afternoon, the action on the nearly 660-metre Tonnerboden track begins at 8.00 pm with the doubles final. On Saturday, the first runs of the women’s and men’s singles start at 5.00 pm, followed by the big finals at 6.30 pm, including the prize-giving ceremony and the World Cup party in the finish-area. DJ Pire will be warming up the fans and athletes from 3.00 pm with powerful beats.
Programme – FIL Alpine Luge World Cup Final 2025/2026
Friday, 20 February 2026
• 3.30 pm – Nation training, women’s singles & men’s singles
• 5.00 pm – Nation training, women’s singles & men’s singles
• 7.00 pm – Nation training, doubles
• 8.00 pm – Doubles race, followed by flower ceremony
Saturday, 21 February 2026
• 5.00 pm – 1st run, women’s singles
• 5.30 pm – 1st run, men’s singles
• 6.30 pm – Women’s singles final, followed by flower ceremony
• 7.30 pm – Men’s singles final, followed by flower ceremony
• 8.30 pm – Prize-giving ceremony for doubles, women’s singles and men’s singles in the finish area
• Followed by the FIL Alpine Luge World Cup 2025/2026 overall prize-giving ceremonies
