The FIL Luge World Cup on Natural Track is on its way to Romania. The third venue is the 2017 World Cup location, Vatra Dornei.

Vatra Dornei is ready for the Luge World Cup on Natural Track on January 18th and 19th. The preparation work on the "Bucovina"-track has been going on since the beginning of the year and since last weekend the track is in a race-ready condition. In contrast to the other years, competitions in 2020 will take place on a slightly shorter track, the start has been moved to turn 3. “This is actually an advantage because the track is quite long. Due to the shortening we are expecting a tight fight and a runtime of around one minute, ”explains FIL-Sportsdirector Andreas Castiglioni.

Ice-making on the track in Vatra Dornei

After three races, Thomas Kammerlander (AUT/255 points) leads the overall World Cup standing, ahead of Michael Scheikl (AUT/245), Patrick Pigneter (ITA/225) and Alex Gruber (ITA/220). For women, Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) holds the maximum of 300 points, followed by Tina Unterberger (AUT/240) and Greta Pinggera (ITA/215). In doubles Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) are in the lead with 285 points in front of the Russians Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (240) and Patrick Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (ITA/215).

Last year there was an Austrian one-two victory by Thomas Kammerlander and Michael Scheikl in Vatra Dornei, while Evelin Lanthaler won the women’s race. In the doubles Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara took the victory.

After the training on Friday, January 17th, the doubles decision will follow on Saturday from 12 noon, on Sunday the two runs of the single-seater men and women are scheduled from 10 a.m.