With the races in doubles and women’s singles the 3rd station of the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track in Vatra Dornei (ROU) came to an end on Sunday. In both races, the victories went to Italy.

Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) are a force in doubles. On the 1024 meter long “Bukovina”-track in the Carpathians the reigning world champions celebrated their third win of the season in the third race. The veterans set a fantastic time in the first run, in the finale the second fastest time was enough for them to win in 2:38.03 minutes. The Russians Aleksandr Egorov/Ivan Rodin finished second just 0.63 seconds behind, ahead of thei cousins Fabian and Simon Achenrainer (AUT). The two touched the barrier in the second run, Simon Achenrainer then complained of pain in his left leg. He will be examined again in Austria, probably nothing should stand in the way of a start next weekend in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA).

Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara celebrating the third victory in the third race

“It's very nice to win here in Vatra Dornei, the track is always a physical challenge. Our second run was not completely flawless, so we're really pleased about the victory,” said Patrick Pigneter after the third win of the season. Pigneter/Clara lead the overall standings with 300 points, followed by Achenrainer/Achenrainer in second place with 225 points, ahead of the Russians Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (155), who did not start in Vatra Dornei.

In the women's singles, Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) rushes from victory to victory. The world champion celebrated her third win in the third race in 2:29.45 minutes, followed by her teammate Greta Pinggera (ITA). The Romania specialist celebrated her last World Cup victory so far in Vatra Dornei in 2020. Third place for the reigning Junior World Champion Lisa Walch from Germany.

(from left) Greta Pinggera, Evelin Lanthaler and Lisa Walch

“Today I am particularly pleased that I was able to win by a wide margin. I got my revenge after second place at the last World Cup here,” Lanthaler explained in the interview.
In the overall World Cup, Lanthaler has 300 points, followed by Walch in second place with 240 points, and Pinggera in third place with 225 points.

The FIL Luge World Cup on natural track continues on January 29th and 30th with the classic in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA).

Top three doubles, Vatra Dornei 01/23/2022
1. Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) 2:38.03 minutes
2. Aleksandr Egorov/Ivan Rodin (RUS) +0.63 seconds
3. Fabian Achenrainer/Simon Achenrainer (AUT) +1.58 seconds

Top three women’s singles, Vatra Dornei 01/23/2022
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 2:29.45 minutes
2. Greta Pinggera (ITA) +1.29 seconds
3. Lisa Walch (GER) +2.80 seconds