ST. SEBASTIAN. On Sunday, January 21st 2018, the final runs of the fourth GRM Group Luge World Cup 2017/2018 were held in presence of FIL President Josef Fendt in St. Sebastian, Styria (AUT). Apart from the favorites, especially two Styrian athletes attracted attention under the difficult race conditions and heavy snowfall.

“At the moment, everything is just about perfect,” said Evelin Lanthaler (ITA), who had won the women’s event in St. Sebastian with a time of 2:23.57 minutes, after the final runs. “Body, mind, equipment – everything is just fine, and therefore it’s much easier to race.” The Italian had been 56 hundredths faster than runner-up Greta Pinggera (ITA), and with her third World Cup win in a row, she proved to be in good shape, which she would like to preserve. “But this season, I don’t put myself under pressure, I just try to be relaxed, and I look from race to race. So far, that worked out well,” explained Lanthaler, who was able to extend her lead in the overall standings due to her recent victory. In St. Sebastian, Austrian Michelle Diepold ranked third – it was her first time to stand on the podium of a World Cup. “After the first competition run, my goal was to maintain the fourth rank. I never expected to rank among the top three,” said the Styrian, who was especially happy to have succeeded at home: “My whole family and many friends were here today, it was great.”

At the men’s event, there has also been a victory of the current World Cup leader, because Thomas Kammerlander (AUT), who had ranked second behind Alex Gruber (ITA) after the first competition run, managed to outpace the Italian in the end. “I was a little annoyed after the first competition run, because I could have done better. But I knew that everything is possible on this difficult track, and now I’m just happy that my second run was quite good”, said the Austrian, who was very satisfied with his performance: “It was a perfect weekend for me: I have won my tenth World Cup race, and I was able to extend my lead in the overall standings. I’m sure I’m going to need every single point.” Indeed, Kammerlanders competitors have no desire to give in yet. Especially Gruber, who came in second in St. Sebastian with a margin of 23 hundredths and now also ranks second in the overall standings, proved that he will play a big role in the fight for the World Cup trophy. Apart from Kammerlander, another Austrian was happy about the outcome of the race: Michael Scheikl ranked third in St. Sebastian – he stood on the podium for the first time since more than two years. “This is a very emotional and important moment for me. The results have shown that the hard work after my injury was not wasted and that I can still compete against the top athletes,” said the Austrian, who is now highly motivated for the next races and especially for the upcoming European Championships in Obdach-Winterleiten (AUT).

At the doubles’ event, Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) are still in a league of their own: The Italians also won the fourth competition of the season and therefore remain unbeaten. “Everything is going well for us,” Clara said after the race, which had been difficult due to the heavy snowfall in St. Sebastian. “The track became different with every run, it was important to adjust the equipment and adapt one’s own racing style to the ever-changing conditions. But we did quite a good job today, our first run was great, so we didn’t have to risk a lot in the final.” Pigneter added: “The track is technically challenging, details can be crucial. But we like the track, we always had a good time here, and we also managed to adapt to the track this time.” Aleksandr Egorov/Petr Popov (RUS) came in second in St. Sebastian, and although they lay 57 hundredths behind Pigneter/Clara in the end, the Russians were happy with their performance – especially because they are now the runner-ups to the Italian pairing in the overall standings. The Austrians Rupert Brüggler/Tobias Angerer ranked third in Styria, they were 2.70 seconds slower than the victorious Italians.

The fifth event of the GRM Group Luge World Cup 2017/2018 will take place from January 26th to 28th 2018 in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA). The races there might turn out to be crucial for this season.

Results:
http://www.fil-luge.org/en/multimedia/grm-group-luge-world-cup-on-natural-track-6