The challenging Grantau-track in Umhausen (AUT) provided the worthy setting for the finale of the Junior World Cup in natural track luge. In the men's singles there was a premiere winner on Sunday with Anton Gruber Genetti (ITA).

Umhausen (FIL/01/28/2024) The 955 meter long Grantau-track always writes special stories in natural track luge. On Sunday, Anton Gruber Genetti (ITA) surprised the competition with the best time in the first run. In the second run, the South Tyrolean's fifth-best running time was enough for his first victory, even if only by a narrow margin. In 2:29.26 minutes he was 0.02 seconds faster than his teammate Alex Oberhofer (ITA), while the Slovenian Vid Kralj came third (+0.41 seconds). His younger brother Ziga Kralj, who led the overall standings together with Oberhofer before the finale, had to settle for fourth place.

Podium men's singles (from left): Alex Oberhofer (ITA), Anton Gruber Genetti (ITA) and Vid Kralj (SLO)

Both Oberhofer and Kralj showed nerves in the finale, in the end Oberhofer (355 points) beat Kralj (330), while Gruber Genetti (252) moved up to third place with the victory, ahead of Hannes Unterholzner (ITA/251).

Overall podium men's singles( from left): Ziga Kralj (SLO), Alex Oberhofer (ITA) and Anton Gruber Genetti (ITA)

In the women's singles, local hero Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) set the best time in both runs and she celebrated her third win of the season in the fourth race (Winterleiten, Ulten and Umhausen) in 2:30.59 minutes, ahead of Sarah Schiller (GER/+1, 15 seconds) and Jenny Castiglioni (ITA/2.12).

Podium women's singles (from left): Sarah Schiller (GER), Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) and Jenny Castiglioni (ITA)

Ruetz also wins the overall ranking with 385 points, ahead of Castiglioni (325) and Schiller (270).

Overall podium women's singles (from left): Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) and Sarah Schiller (GER)

With their fourth victory, a flawless World Cup season came to an end for Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) (see photo) in the doubles on Saturday. The South Tyroleans also won the overall ranking in the Junior World Cup for the first time with a maximum of 400 points, ahead of Viorel Andrej Deac/Cornel Alexandru Coca (170) from Romania. A total of six doubles teams took part in the Junior World Cup. The young athletes can now prepare for the highlight of the season, the Junior World Championships are scheduled from February 9th to 11th in Winterleiten (AUT).

Junior World Cup Umhausen 2024
Top 3 men’s singles
1. Anton Gruber Genetti (ITA), 2:29.26 minutes
2. Alex Oberhofer (ITA), +0.02 seconds
3. Vid Kralj (SLO), +0.41

Top 3 women’s singles
1. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), 2:30.59 minutes
2. Sarah Schiller (GER), +1.15 seconds
3. Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), +2.12