Florian Clara (ITA) made his mark on the grand finale of the FIL 2024/2025 Natural Track Luge World Cup in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA). With his fourth victory of the season, he secured the large crystal globe for the overall World Cup title for the first time at the end of his career.
(from left) Fabian Brunner (ITA), Florian Clara (ITA) and Patrick Pigneter (ITA)
Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (FIL/23.02.2025) – The special atmosphere was palpable on Sunday along the 785-metre-long natural luge track “Pföslriep.” No fewer than six outstanding athletes competed in their final race: Evelin Lanthaler (ITA), Tina Unterberger (AUT), Florian Markt (AUT), Patrick Pigneter (ITA), Michael Scheikl (AUT), and Florian Clara (ITA). Before the final, world champion Scheikl held a narrow five-point lead over Clara. However, Clara set an early statement by achieving the fastest time in the first run, while Scheikl found himself in third place, 0.54 seconds behind. In the second run, Scheikl lost valuable time in the middle section and was unable to put pressure on Clara. By the time he took to the track, the world champion had already slipped to third place. Clara demonstrated all his experience, seemingly effortlessly delivering another fastest run. With a total time of 1:50.45 minutes, he claimed his fourth victory of the season, ahead of his teammates Fabian Brunner (ITA/+0.64 seconds) and Patrick Pigneter (ITA/+0.98). With a one-second deficit, Scheikl had to settle for fourth place. Nineteen years after making his World Cup debut, Clara capped off his career with his first-ever overall World Cup title (590 points), finishing ahead of Scheikl (555) and Stefan Federer (SUI/408).
Florian Clara (ITA) winning the race and the overall world cup 2025
"I wasn't nervous at all before the race, and after the first run, I knew I wouldn’t let it slip away," Clara stated matter-of-factly. "It's always disappointing to lose the overall title in the final race. But retiring as world champion is a great consolation," said Scheikl. Pigneter, who boasts 54 World Cup victories in the singles event, ended his farewell season on a high note with a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships in Kühtai (AUT) and a third-place finish in his final race.
Evelin Lanthaler Retires at Her Peak
Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) during her last competition
In the women's singles, Evelin Lanthaler had already secured the overall World Cup title before the final race. The serial winner left no room for doubt, clinching an impressive 58th World Cup victory with a time of 1:51.64 minutes, ahead of local favourite Daniela Mittermair (ITA/+1.00 second) and Tina Unterberger (AUT/+1.60). "Of course, I had in the back of my mind that this was my last race. A small mistake in the upper section of the course woke me up, and I switched back into race mode," said Lanthaler. With a maximum of 700 points, she claimed her ninth overall World Cup victory, ahead of Unterberger (480) and Mittermair (455).
(from left) Daniela Mittermair (ITA), Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Tina Unterberger (AUT)
Italy Wins the Nations Cup
In the 2024/2025 Nations Cup, Italy emerged victorious with 5,418 points, followed by Austria (3,813) and Slovakia (1,584).
Beer Shower Farewell
At their final finish-line arrival, the six athletes were given a celebratory beer shower by their teammates. Before the awards ceremony, they also enjoyed one last farewell run on the lower part of the luge track, where they were met with thunderous applause from the crowd.
Pichler/Edlinger Clinch Overall Victory in the Doubles Event
On Saturday, Maximilian Pichler and Nico Edlinger (AUT) secured their first overall World Cup title in the doubles event, finishing second behind Matthias Lambacher and Peter Lambacher (ITA).
Top 3 Women's Singles
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) – 1:51.64 minutes
2. Daniela Mittermair (ITA) – +1.00 seconds
3. Tina Unterberger (AUT) – +1.60
Top 3 Overall Standings
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) – 700 points
2. Tina Unterberger (AUT) – 480
3. Daniela Mittermair (ITA) – 455
Top 3 Men's Singles
1. Florian Clara (ITA) – 1:50.45 minutes
2. Fabian Brunner (ITA) – +0.64 seconds
3. Patrick Pigneter (ITA) – +0.98
Top 3 Overall Standings
1. Florian Clara (ITA) – 590 points
2. Michael Scheikl (ITA) – 555
3. Stefan Federer (SUI) – 408
Achievements
Evelin Lanthaler (ITA)
9 overall titles, 58 World Cup victories, 5 gold medals in World Championships (singles).
Tina Unterberger (AUT)
6-time third place in the overall World Cup, 2-time runner-up in the overall World Cup, 2017 World Champion (team), 4-time World Championship bronze medalist (singles).
Patrick Pigneter (ITA)
12 overall titles (singles), 54 World Cup victories, 3 gold medals in World Championships (singles).
Michael Scheikl (AUT)
Overall World Cup winner 2020/2021, 2025 World Champion (singles).
Florian Clara (ITA)
Overall World Cup winner 2024/2025.
Doubles Pigneter/Clara (ITA)
13 overall titles, 68 World Cup victories, 5 gold medals in World Championships.
