Home advantage in sight: Rieder and Kainzwaldner revive their Olympic dreams

Cortina d'Ampezzo (FIL/15 Sep 2025) In Olympic luge, where milliseconds decide medals and consistency breeds champions, small changes can be scary. For Italians Emanuel Rieder and Simon Kainzwaldner, the 2024/25 season was defined by just that—change, challenges, and ultimately, strength of character.

This year, the experienced duo did not finish on the podium as they had hoped. But what they gained – perseverance, independence, and a new perspective – could prove even more valuable on the road to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

The highs and lows

There were setbacks. At the 2025 World Championships in Whistler, they finished in a disappointing 14th place – their worst result at a major event in years. “Whistler is a track that punishes even the smallest mistakes,” explained Kainzwaldner. “We had problems at the start all season, were simply too far behind the top teams there, and that cost us speed.”

But they didn't let that ruin their season. Instead, they fought their way back. In Yanqing, China, at the last stop of the World Cup, they narrowly missed the podium, finishing just 0.161 seconds behind third place. “The race in China is the one I'm most proud of,” said Kainzwaldner. “Even though a podium finish would have been the perfect reward, it gave us a huge boost. It showed us what we're still capable of.”

Finding strength in silence

For Kainzwaldner, this inner strength doesn't just come from training or racing – it also comes from silence. As a passionate paraglider, he finds peace in the skies above his home region of South Tyrol. “Being in the air helps me recharge my batteries. It clears my head, sharpens my focus and reminds me to breathe. Sometimes that's exactly what you need: just a change of perspective.” This attitude – calm under pressure and confidence in difficult times – could be her secret weapon this year.

A season of change

“We tried a lot this season, but unfortunately the changes we made to the sled didn't have a positive effect, but we learned a lot from the experience,” said Simon Kainzwaldner, reflecting on the hurdles the team had to overcome.

“An idea has matured in our minds: we want to be involved in the construction of our sled from the ground up and implement our ideas.” Encouraged by the mentors of “GreatSeason,” a part-time training program for athletes organized by Südtiroler Sporthilfe, which Rieder/Kainzwaldner participated in, they are now tackling the project. Valuable tips and know-how from former and current technicians are helping the duo to avoid starting from scratch, but instead to take on a lot and refine it to their advantage. “This is a matter close to my heart. It has always been my dream to try my hand at something myself and learn how to build a sled from scratch,” says Kainzwaldner, who is a trained carpenter.

To finance this undertaking, several South Tyrolean companies have pledged their support to the duo. “Greatseason gave us an insight into the professional world and enabled us to meet many entrepreneurs who opened doors for us that we would never have been able to open on our own,” says Rieder happily.

Now it's time to get physically fit, because what good is a fast sled if you're too far behind at the start? “The whole package of athlete, sled, start, and riding experience has to be just right to be successful,” Rieder knows.

Looking ahead to Milano-Cortina

The countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy is now underway. It has been two decades since Italy last won an Olympic medal in men's doubles luge – bronze in Turin in 2006 – and Rieder and Kainzwaldner are determined to change that. "Of course, we have to qualify first! The goal is to be among the top three doubles nations together with Nagler/Malleier so that we get a second starting spot for Italy and can then go for gold at the Olympics, because with the Olympic Games on our doorstep, our motivation is greater than ever," the duo affirms.

They may have flown under the radar last season, but they should not be underestimated. With their years of experience, newfound energy, and the freedom of the air, Rieder and Kainzwaldner are gliding toward something bigger.

Medals in your own country are rare. But if any team knows how to bounce back from a setback, it's this one. Keep an eye on them. The Italian duo is far from finished.