Double reason for joy for Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) and Evelin Lanthaler (ITA). The two world champions celebrated their 25th and 40th World Cup victory at the FIL World Cup in natural track luge in Jaufental/Val Giovo (ITA) on Sunday.
Thomas Kammerlander (25 victories) and Evelin Lanthaler (40 victories)
Jaufental/Val Giovo (FIL/01/15/2023) The "Tonnerboden"-track was all about sporting jubilees on Sunday: Thomas Kammerlander celebrated the 25th World Cup victory of his career in the men's singles, and it was an unexpected victory. After the first run, "Kammi" was in fourth place, 0.33 seconds behind leader Alex Gruber (ITA). Kammerlander caught the second run perfectly and made up place by place in 1:43.27 minutes. Gruber also had to admit defeat at the finishlinie by 0.04 seconds, third place for Junior World Champion Fabian Brunner (ITA).
Thomas Kammerlander on the way to his 25th victory
“I changed the setup of the luge after the first run, it was obviously a good move. My goal was 25 wins, I'm really happy now," said Thomas Kammerlander, who has already announced that he will retire after this season.
(from left) Alex Gruber (ITA), Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) and Fabian Brunner (ITA)
In the overall standings, the three-way battle between Michael Scheikl (AUT), Gruber and Kammerlander is in full swing: After four of seven races, Scheikl and Gruber are tied in the lead with 330 points each, followed by Kammerlander with 325 points.
The race in the women's singles developed into a very tight affair: Half-time leader Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) was not able to perform as usual in the second run, her lead of 0.31 seconds steadily melted away and in the end the world champion saved 0.02 seconds over the finish line. With a time of 1:44.83 minutes, the 32-year-old celebrated her 40th World Cup victory, ahead of Greta Pinggera (ITA) and Nadine Staffler (ITA/+0.48 seconds).
40 victories in the box: Evelin Lanthaler (ITA)
“Today it really was extremely close, I think I wasn't relaxed enough in the second run. I will now enjoy the cake for the 40th victory with my teammates and the coaching staff,” Lanthaler said happily.
Triple victory for Italy: (from left) Greta Pinggera, Evelin Lanthaler and Nadine Staffler
With a maximum of 400 points, Lanthaler clearly leads the overall standings, ahead of Pinggera (286 points) and Tina Unterberger (AUT/275).
The organizers from ASV Jaufental with OC boss Walter Volgger are satisfied: “The night race on Saturday evening was a crowd puller, the many spectators created a great atmosphere. We have also seen from a sporting perspective that the Tonnerboden-track car is always good for extremely close results". Volgger would also like to thank the FIL luge association for their trust and the many volunteers who made sure that the double World Cup ran smoothly.
The FIL World Cup in natural track luge continues January 27th to 29th with the classic in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA).
Top 5 men's singles
1. Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) 1:42.27 minutes
2. Alex Gruber (ITA) +0.04 seconds
3. Fabian Bruner (ITA) +0.35
4.Michael Scheikl (AUT) +0.41
5. Florian Clara (ITA) +0.52
Top 5 women's singles
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 1:44.83 minutes
2. Greta Pinggera (ITA) +0.02 seconds
3. Nadine Staffler (ITA) +0.48
4. Tina Unterberger (AUT) +0.86
5. Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) +1.42
