The FIL Alpine Luge World Cup got underway in the new year on Saturday in Passeier Valley/Val Passiria (ITA) with the third doubles race of the season. Reigning world champions Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) celebrated their first victory of the season.

Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) are back on top of the podium

Moos in Passeier (FIL/03/01/2026) The 874-metre natural luge track “Bergkristall” was in top condition and demanded everything from the athletes. Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher had already set the pace during morning training and then mastered all the key sections best in the afternoon race. With a time of 58.27 seconds, Lambacher/Lambacher secured their first season win, ahead of Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA, +0.70 seconds) and junior world champions Gabriel Halcin/Samuel Halcin (SVK, +2.47).

(from left) Andreas Hofer/Tobias Paur (ITA), Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) and Samuel Halcin/Gabriel Halcin (SVK)

“We trained hard over the turn of the year, and it feels good to be back on track after the problems in Winterleiten. The win is nice, but even better is the run time – we can be very satisfied with that,” said Matthias Lambacher at the finish. Paur/Hofer also stood on the podium for the third time this season: “Two second places and a third place are absolutely perfect. We’re just missing a win – maybe it will happen in Deutschnofen in two weeks,” said Paur.

The winners in Winterleiten, Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT), did not start at the World Cup in Passeier. A few days ago, Pichler suffered a cut to his hand while preparing the luge and has to take a break.

In the overall standings, Lambacher/Lambacher now lead with 245 points, narrowly ahead of Paur/Hofer (240), with Pichler/Edlinger and Halcin/Halcin tied on 200 points each.

On Sunday, the singles races are on the programme on the “Bergkristall” track in Passeier.

World Cup Passeier – Top 3
1.    Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) – 58.27 seconds
2.    Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) – +0.70
3.    Gabriel Halcin/Samuel Halcin (SVK) – +2.47

Programme
Sunday, 4 January 2026
10.00: 1st run – Women’s Singles/Men’s Singles
11.30: 2nd run – Women’s Singles/Men’s Singles, followed by the flower ceremony and prize-giving ceremony