Kick off on Saturday for the new season in the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track on the technically demanding "Grantau"-track in Umhausen (AUT). In the women‘s single and in the doubles the victories went to Italy.

The 955 meter long “Grantau”-track in the Ötztal demanded everything from the athletes at the start of the World Cup 2022. In the women’s single the reigning World Champion Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) set the best time in both runs. In 2:30.69 minutes she relegated the reigning Junior World Champion Lisa Walch (GER) to second place. For Walch it is the first podium in the general class. Greta Pinggera (ITA), still in second place after the first run, slipped into third place with a not entirely flawless drive in the finale.

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

“It was important for me that I was in the lead in the first run. I knew I had to push. And to start the new season with a win is simply perfect, ”said Lanthaler happily after her 33rd World Cup victory.

Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) now holds 33 World Cup victories

The victory also went to Italy in the doubles: The reigning World Champions Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara celebrated a sovereign victory with the best time in both runs in 2:35.93 minutes. The Russians Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev follow in second place, 0.97 seconds behind. The young local heroes Fabian Achenrainer/Simon Achenrainer (AUT) were in second place after the first run, but a big mistake in the penultimate corner bend the cousins on third place – just 0.04 seconds behind the Russians.

(from left) Porshev/Lazarev (RUS), Pigneter/Clara (ITA) and Achenrainer/Achenrainer (AUT)

“The first run didn't go as planned, but the second run was almost perfect,” said Pigneter, visibly pleased with the victory at the World Cup opener.

On Sunday there are also two competitions on the program: The men’s single start at 10 a.m. (CET), with the finale at 11.30 a.m. (CET). The team event at 1 p.m. (CET) concludes the 2022 World Cup opening.