Fourfold victory for Italy in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente
Daniel Gruber extends overall World Cup lead with second win of the season
Green-white-red celebrations at the FIL Alpine Luge World Cup on Sunday in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA). Daniel Gruber (ITA) claimed his second win of the season and led a remarkable Italian fourfold victory.
(from left) Mathias Troger (ITA), Daniel Gruber (ITA) and Fabian Brunner (ITA)
Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (FIL/18 January 2026) A dominant performance by Daniel Gruber on the 785-metre natural track „Pföslriep” in the men’s singles. The opening winner in Winterleiten (AUT) set two clear fastest runs in soft ice conditions and celebrated his third career World Cup victory with a combined time of 1:50.89 minutes. Mathias Troger (ITA, +0.83 seconds) achieved the best result of his career in second place, ahead of Fabian Brunner (ITA, +1.06) and Alex Oberhofer (ITA, +1.09). „The large margin is a little deceptive – the races so far this season have all been extremely close. Still, I’m absolutely delighted with this win,” Gruber said at the finish. With two victories this season, he now also leads the overall World Cup standings with 355 points, ahead of Troger (285) and Achenrainer (270).
Daniel Gruber (ITA) on the "Pföslriep"
Third win of the season for Ruetz
In the women’s singles, Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) delivered a premiere. With her third victory of the season, she also secured Austria’s first ever women’s World Cup win on the „Pföslriep”. Her total time of 1:52.47 minutes made her the only athlete to stay under 1:53 minutes. „These were two almost perfect runs. I didn’t know I was the first Austrian woman to win here – that makes it even more special,” said the Tyrolean, beaming at the finish.
Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) on the "Pföslriep"
Lisa Walch (GER, +0.64 seconds) finished second, celebrating her best World Cup result to date, while Jenny Castiglioni (ITA, +0.83) took third place. Misfortune struck Nina Castiglioni (ITA) in the first run: the 16-year-old was the fastest up to the final intermediate time before her race number caught on the end of the luge. Unable to straighten up, she slid out of the corner.
(from left) Lisa Walch (GER), Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) and Jenny Castiglioni (ITA)
After four of seven races, Ruetz leads the overall women’s World Cup standings with 385 points, ahead of Walch (275) and Nina Castiglioni (256).
Team event
Due to technical reasons, the concluding team event was held as a pure exhibition race and did not count towards the World Cup. Victory went to Team Austria 1 (Riccarda Ruetz/Fabian Achenrainer) in 1:55.99 minutes, narrowly ahead of Team Italy 1 (Daniela Mittermair/Daniel Gruber) in 1:56.11 and the mixed Team GER/ITA (Lisa Walch/Fabian Brunner) in 1:56.70.
Championships in Laas/Lasa
The next race marks the highlight of the season: from 23 to 25 January, the 31st European Championships in Alpine Luge will take place in Laas/Lasa (ITA).
Top 3 – Men’s Singles
1. Daniel Gruber (ITA) – 1:50.89 minutes
2. Mathias Troger (ITA) – +0.83 seconds
3. Fabian Brunner (ITA) – +1.06 seconds
Top 3 – Women’s Singles
1. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) – 1:52.47 minutes
2. Lisa Walch (GER) – +0.64 seconds
3. Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) – +0.83 seconds
Top 3 – Doubles (Saturday)
1. Maximilian Pichler / Nico Edlinger (AUT) – 59.91 seconds
2. Mathias Lambacher / Peter Lambacher (ITA) – +0.34 seconds
3. Gabriel Halcin / Samuel Halcin (SVK) – +4.21 seconds
Overall World Cup Standings – Men (4/7)
1. Daniel Gruber (ITA) – 355 points
2. Mathias Troger (ITA) – 275
3. Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) – 270
Overall World Cup Standings – Women (4/7)
1. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) – 385 points
2. Lisa Walch (GER) – 275
3. Nina Castiglioni (ITA) – 256
Overall World Cup Standings – Doubles (4/7)
1. Mathias Lambacher / Peter Lambacher (ITA) – 330 points
2. Maximilian Pichler / Nico Edlinger (AUT) – 300
3. Tobias Paur / Andreas Hofer (ITA) – 290
