At the fifth FIL Natural Track Luge World Cup in Umhausen (AUT) on Saturday afternoon, sporting history was made. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) secured her 56th World Cup victory, placing her at the top of the all-time rankings.
Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) claims her 56th world cup victory
Umhausen (FIL/08.02.2025) – Evelin Lanthaler continues her remarkable winning streak, claiming her 56th World Cup victory – a new record – on the 955-metre-long Grantau track. Until now, the world champion had shared the record with Ekaterina Lavrenteva (RUS/55 victories). Lanthaler is unbeaten in the World Cup for over five years now, with her last defeat dating back to January 2020 in Vatra Dornei (ROU), where she finished second to her teammate Greta Pinggera by just 0.04 seconds.
"I heard the stadium speaker during my run and thought to myself, I need to push hard now, otherwise he wouldn’t be commentating so loudly," Lanthaler laughed. Indeed, in the second run, her lead over the then-front-runner Tina Unterberger (AUT) gradually shrank. However, Lanthaler set the fastest time in the second run as well, finishing with a combined time of 2:28.00 minutes, making her unbeatable. Unterberger (+0.67 seconds) took second place for the second time this season, ahead of Nadine Staffler (ITA/+2.34).
(from left) Tina Unterberger (AUT), Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Nadine Staffler (ITA)
In the overall standings, Lanthaler leads with the maximum 500 points, followed by Unterberger (350) and vice-world champion Riccarda Ruetz (AUT/290).
Clara and Scheikl in Neck-and-Neck Race
Victories are known to be sweet, and Florian Clara (ITA) has clearly developed a taste for them. In a thrilling hundredth-of-a-second battle, the 36-year-old (who turns 37 on Tuesday) set the fastest time in the second run, finishing with a total time of 2:26.25 minutes. This pushed the halfway leader, Michael Scheikl (AUT/+0.05 seconds), into second place, while Patrick Pigneter (ITA/+0.33) secured third. "I wasn’t happy after the training runs and was hoping for slightly warmer temperatures. Today it was warmer, and that’s when my equipment works particularly well. I hope I can be right at the top again tomorrow," said the three-time season winner.
Third victory for Florian Clara (ITA)
With 430 points, Clara has extended his overall World Cup lead over Scheikl (410) to 20 points, with Alex Oberhofer (ITA) following in third place with 312 points.
Second World Cup Victory for Paur/Hofer in the Doubles
The doubles eliminator was won by Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA). The young Italian duo delivered a fast, but not flawless, final run, securing their second World Cup victory in 1:18.14 minutes, following their first win in Winterleiten (AUT) during the 2023/2024 season. Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) finished second, just 0.23 seconds behind, followed by world champions Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA/+0.43).
Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) won the eliminator-race in Umhausen (AUT)
Ahead of the final in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA) on 22 and 23 February, Pichler/Edlinger lead the overall standings with 540 points, followed by Lambacher/Lambacher and Paur/Hofer, both with 495 points. Pichler/Edlinger are now highly likely to claim their first overall World Cup title.
Sunday's Schedule: More Racing Action to Come
On Sunday, Umhausen will host the singles eliminator race, which will be broadcast live on the International Luge Federation (FIL) website.
Top 3 Women’s Singles, Umhausen
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) – 2:28.00 minutes
2. Tina Unterberger (AUT) – +0.67 seconds
3. Nadine Staffler (ITA) – +2.34
Top 3 Men’s Singles, Umhausen
1. Florian Clara (ITA) – 2:26.25 minutes
2. Michael Scheikl (AUT) – +0.05 seconds
3. Patrick Pigneter (ITA) – +0.33
Top 3 Doubles Eliminator, Umhausen
1. Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) – 1:18.14 minutes
2. Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) – +0.23 seconds
3. Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) – +0.43
Programme:
Sunday, February 9th
10:00 AM: Women’s and Men’s Singles Eliminator, followed by the flower ceremony and award ceremonies.
