Jonas Müller, Madeleine Egle, Egle/Kipp and Müller/Frauscher Austrian Champions

Innsbruck (FIL/28 Dec 2024) At the end of the year, after a short Christmas break, the national title was awarded to the Austrian champions at the Olympic track in Innsbruck-Igls.

In the doubles, Selina Egle and Lara Kipp and Yannick Müller and Armin Frauscher secured the national championship title. The Vorarlberg and his Tyrolean teammate impressed with two best times in their first victory, winning both runs. “I had to skip track training after Christmas due to a mild gastrointestinal infection. Considering this, it was a good performance today, especially since we tested new material. Of course we are happy about the first victory and the first title, but we don't want to overestimate it. It would be more important for us to score points at the World Cup in Sigulda,” Yannik Müller said confidently after winning the national title.

Silver in the national championships went to the reigning world champions Juri Gatt and Riccardo Schöpf. Thomas Steu, who tore his neck in training on Thursday, decided against competing as a precaution. As a result, Wolfgang Kindl was also unable to defend his title in the doubles.

In the men's singles, defending champion Jonas Müller and Wolfgang Kindl fought a thrilling duel, which the man from Vorarlberg was able to decide in his favor after two runs. For Müller, it was the third title in the general class. David Gleirscher finished the national championships in third place behind Kindl. “We have an extremely strong men's team, so a national championship title is not a sure thing. I should have done better at the start in the first run, but my performance on the track was once again spot on,” said the 2023 world champion Jonas Müller, pleased with his performance.

Madeleine Egle won the women's singles event for the fifth time in her career, with Lisa Schulte finishing second. Dorothea Schwarz took bronze at the Austrian national championships. “Of course there are races with a higher priority, but nevertheless you are very happy to take such results with you. I am very satisfied with my performance today,” Madeleine Egle summed up.

Immediately after the race ended, the equipment was packed and sent on its way to Latvia. The ÖRV aces will leave for Sigulda early in the morning on Monday, December 30, with training on the track starting on December 31. On January 4 and 5, the EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup 2024/2025 will be held for the fourth time, with the winners and points up for grabs. In addition to the individual disciplines, an EBERSPAECHER Team Relay World Cup presented by BMW is also on the program in Sigulda.

photos: FIL/Michael Kristen