Jonas Müller wins European Championship title ahead of Felix Loch with two track records

EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup Oberhof, FIL European Championships 2026

Oberhof (FIL/17 Jan 2026) Jonas Müller's success at the EBERSPAECHER Luge World Cup in Oberhof could not have been more clear-cut. The 28-year-old Austrian improved his start record twice in the first run by 16 thousandths of a second to 7.063 seconds. At the finish of the first run, the clock stopped at 42.275 seconds – a track record. In the second run, he was another thousandth of a second faster: 42.274 seconds. Johannes Ludwig had held the old record for four years with 42.515 seconds. He went on to become Olympic champion. Is that a sign? First of all, he won the European Championship title with a total time of 1:24.549 minutes. “I have very fond memories of Oberhof,” said the new title holder, “I won a championship here a few years ago.” That was the world championship in 2023.

Felix Loch finished second, 0.091 seconds behind. This meant that the German lost his lead in the overall World Cup standings. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old was at peace with himself. “It was a good race, but unfortunately not a very good one. Otherwise, it could have been enough to finish further ahead. I'm still happy with my second place,” he said, “in any case, it was a mega exciting race.” The three-time Olympic champion's sights are clearly set on Cortina d'Ampezzo, where he wants to win his third individual Olympic gold medal.

In Oberhof, further improvements to his equipment were on the agenda. And enjoyment. “It's just fun to race here in front of this great backdrop,” he said, lifting his two sons over the barrier to celebrate with them. World champion Max Langenhan was just 0.275 seconds behind in third place.

“It didn't go so well for me today,” reported the German, “the second run was a little better, but the first was just bad.” Langenhan couldn't explain why things didn't go so well in the first run. He now wants to analyze it intensively with his coaches, because the Olympic dress rehearsal is coming up next weekend. Again in Oberhof.

Kristers Aparjods finished fourth. The Latvian was 0.374 seconds behind. He was followed by three Austrians: David Gleirscher, Olympic champion in 2018, was 0.523 seconds slower than winner Müller, Wolfgang Kindl (0.562) followed in sixth place ahead of Nico Gleirscher (0.667).

In the U23 age group, Timon Grancagnolo (Germany) defended his European Championship title. He finished tenth in the race, 1.044 seconds behind Müller. Second place went to Kaspars Rinks from Latvia, ahead of Dylon Morse (Great Britain) and Bruno Mick (Slovenia).