Junior World Cup Umhausen: Slovenian winning streak continues

Žiga Kralj wins thrilling hundredth-of-a-second battle

At the third Alpine Luge Junior World Cup of the 2025/2026 season in Umhausen (AUT), no fewer than five athletes were locked in a thrilling hundredth-of-a-second battle for the podium places. In the end, it was once again Žiga Kralj (SLO) who celebrated victory.

(from left) Simon Saurer (AUT), Ziga Kralj (SLO) and Michael Noah Tinzl (ITA)

Umhausen (FIL/11 January 2026) – The Grantau track is famous as a technically demanding natural luge track and a guarantee of exciting races. On Sunday, the junior lugers gave each other no quarter on the 944-metre course. After the first run, Žiga Kralj (SLO) led ahead of local favourite Simon Saurer (AUT) and Vid Kralj (SLO).

In the final run, 15-year-old Alexander Staffler (ITA) showed an outstanding performance from seventh place at the halfway mark, clocking the fastest run time to move into the lead. Only Michael Noah Tinzl (ITA), who had been fourth after the first run, was able to beat him, taking a provisional lead by just 0.02 seconds. Vid Kralj was unable to challenge the two Italians and slotted in behind Staffler, just 0.04 seconds behind Tinzl. Simon Saurer took the lead with a solid run, while halfway leader Žiga Kralj chased his third Junior World Cup victory right up to the final split time. With a sensational finish, the 17-year-old managed to defend a slender advantage of just 0.06 seconds, crossing the finish line with a total time of 2:28.07 minutes.

With two victories and a fourth-place finish, Žiga Kralj now leads the overall World Cup standings with 260 points, ahead of his brother Vid (225) and Paolo Auer (AUT/220).

Italian clean sweep in women’s singles

Nina Castiglioni (ITA) claimed her second win of the season, leading an Italian clean sweep. With the fastest time in both runs and a total time of 2:29.55 minutes, the 16-year-old was the only athlete to break the magical 2:30-minute barrier. She was followed by Tina Stuffer (ITA, +0.51 seconds) and Lotte Mulser (ITA, +0.58).

In the overall standings ahead of the final, Castiglioni leads with 285 points, followed by Stuffer (210) and Mulser (200).

(from left) Tina Stuffer, Nina Castiglioni and Lotte Mulser (all ITA)

The Junior World Cup will conclude in mid-February with the final event in Latsch/Laces (ITA).

Junior World Cup Umhausen, 11.01.2026
Top-3 men’s singles
1.    Ziga Kralj (SLO), 2.28,07 minutes
2.    Simon Saurer (AUT), +0,06 seconds
3.    Michael Noah Tinzl (ITA), +0,08

Top-3 women’s singles
1.    Nina Castiglioni (ITA), 2.29,55 minutes
2.    Tina Stuffer (ITA), +0,51 seconds
3.    Lotte Mulser (ITA), +0,58