The International Luge Federation FIL set the course for a normal season after the "Corona season" 2020/2021. In the 2021/2022 season, the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track will take place in four countries. The new racing calendar for the World Cup has some interesting innovations.

The racing calendar 2021/2022 is again a "real" racing calendar after the corona-related adjustments in the past season. The FIL Luge World Cup on natural track begins in Umhausen (AUT) from January 7th - 9th, 2022. Umhausen was previously known as the venue for the floodlit World Cup finale. Immediately afterwards, from January 14th to 16th, the second World Cup will follow again in Umhausen. “In the last few years we often had to deal with the weather conditions in December. With the later start in January we are avoiding these problems. It is important for us that we start with a real bang, ”said FIL Vice-President and Natural Track Coordinator Peter Knauseder at the online press conference on Thursday.

(from left) Thomas Kammerlander, Peter Knauseder and Michael Scheikl

On the last two weekends in January, the World Cup entourage will tour on to Vatra Dornei (ROU) and Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA). While Vatra Dornei was removed from the calendar last season due to the pandemic, Deutschnofen did not apply as a venue in 2021.

After the European Championships in Laas/Lasa (ITA) on the second weekend in February, the World Cup will go to Styria (AUT). Mariazell is celebrating a comeback in the World Cup calendar after the 2018/2019 season, at the time the races had to be moved to Winterleiten (AUT) in January 2019 due to the immense amounts of fresh snow. In the last week of February the World Cup turns into the home straight. Two races are on the program in the Russian capital Moscow (February 24-27). After the classic World Cup, the only eliminator (former pursuer) will be held at the finals on Sunday. If the overall winners are not determined already, they will be chosen in the eliminator format for the first time.

With Michael Scheikl and Thomas Kammerlander (both AUT) the reigning overall World Cup winner and the reigning World Champion were present at the press conference. “I've always been the hunter, this time I'm the hunted. I hope that I can be very competitive again“, said Scheikl, drawing attention to the unusual starting position. The last few weeks until the start of the season are all about training: “The endurance training is over, now it's time to luge, luge, luge. We are currently training mainly on the new track in Kühtai (AUT), the final preparation will follow on the Grantau-track in Umhausen”, explained Kammerlander.

World Cup season for juniors
The Junior Luge World Cup on natural track starts on December 30th - 31st, 2021 in Winterleiten (AUT), and on January 5th - 6th, 2022 the second stop in Latzfons (ITA) is on the program. After a break of 15 days, the races in Navis (AUT) follow on January 22nd - 23rd, followed by the World Cup finale on the Grantau-track in Umhausen (AUT) on the last weekend of the month. The highlight oft he season is set on the first weekend in February with the Junior World Championships from February 4th to 6th in Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA).

Two title fights in Italy in 2022

Italy will become the hotspot for luge on natural track in the 2021/2022 season. Two title fights will be held in the host country of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The 29th European Luge Championships on natural track will be held on the "Gafair-Bahn" in Laas. The defending champions are Michael Scheikl (AUT) in men’s singles, Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) in women’s singles and the brothers Patrick Lambacher / Matthias Lambacher (ITA) in doubles. For Laas it is the first European Championship, before Italy had already hosted the European Luge Championships on natural track seven times (Taisten/Tesido 1973, Seis/Siusi 1977, Aosta 1979, Völs/Fiè 1991, Moos/Moso 1997, Olang/Valdaora 2008 and Moos/Moso 2016).

For the juniors, one year after the European Championships also the World Championships on natural track will take place in Jaufental. It is the first World Championship on the Tonnerboden-track, which was newly built a few years ago in the municipality of Ratschings/Racines, where new World Champions will be crowned in all three categories. The defending champions Lisa Walch (GER) in women’s single, Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) in men’s single and Fabian Achenrainer/Simon Achenrainer (AUT) in doubles are no longer eligible to compete in the juniors.
 
FIL Luge World Cup on natural track
Umhausen (AUT) January 7th - 9th 2022
Umhausen (AUT) January 14-16, 2022
Vatra Dornei (ROU) January 21-23, 2022
Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA) January 28-30, 2022
Mariazell (AUT) February 18-20, 2022
Moscow (RUS) February 24-26, 2022
Moscow (RUS) February 27, 2022 (Eliminator / final)

FIL Luge European Championships on natural track
Laas/Lasa (ITA) February 10-13, 2022
 
FIL Luge Junior World Cup on natural track
Winterleiten (AUT) December 30th - 31st, 2021
Latzfons/Lazfons (ITA) January 5-6, 2022
Navis (AUT) January 22-23, 2022
Umhausen (AUT) January 29th - 30th, 2022 (finale)

FIL Luge Junior World Championships on natural track
Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA) February 4-6, 2022

FIL youth games
Kühtai (AUT) March 5-6, 2022

The online press conference (in German) can be reviewed at https://www.fil-luge.org/de/pressekonferenz-naturbahn