Junior World Cup: Žiga Kralj and Nina Castiglioni claim overall titles

Statement of dominance at the FIL Alpine Luge Junior World Cup final

The final of the FIL Alpine Luge Junior World Cup took place on Saturday evening on the Gumpfrei track in Latsch/Laces (ITA). Žiga Kralj (SLO) and Nina Castiglioni (ITA) lived up to their roles as favourites and secured convincing victories.

Overall winners of the FIL Alpine Luge Junior World Cup 2025/2026: Žiga Kralj (SLO) and Nina Castiglioni (ITA)

Latsch/Laces (FIL / 14 February 2026) – Under floodlights and in light drizzle, the favourites showed top performances. Žiga Kralj laid the foundation for his third win of the season with the fastest time in the first run. In the second run, the 17-year-old defended his lead with the second-fastest time, ahead of his brother and Junior World Champion Vid Kralj (SLO), who clocked the fastest time of the final run to move up from fourth place to second. Local hero Alexander Staffler (ITA) finished third, while Paolo Auer (AUT) slipped from second to fourth. Žiga Kralj also secured the overall Junior World Cup title in impressive style with 360 points, ahead of his brother Vid (310) and Paolo Auer (280).

“This is simply crazy – I wasn’t nervous at all, I raced the final just like any other competition,” said Žiga Kralj as he celebrated winning the big crystal globe. Asked who now controls the TV remote at home – the World Champion or the overall winner – he laughed: “Mum is the boss of the remote control.”

In the 2025/2026 season, the brothers Vid and Žiga Kralj won all the races between them. The 20-year-old Vid took victory at the season opener in December in Winterleiten (AUT) and became Junior World Champion in Umhausen (AUT) in early February in his final junior season. Žiga, meanwhile, won in Passeier/Val Passiria (ITA), in Umhausen and at the final, and also claimed the silver medal at the Junior World Championships.

Home victory for Nina Castiglioni

Local favourite Nina Castiglioni (ITA) executed a flawless performance to win her home race. Setting the fastest time in both runs, the 16-year-old celebrated her third win of the season, ahead of her team-mates Lotte Mulser (ITA) and Junior World Champion Tina Stuffer (ITA).

“I’m overwhelmed – I have no words. Winning in front of family and friends is so special – perfect,” said the reigning European Champion in the senior category as she celebrated both the race victory and the overall title.

Three wins and one second place gave Castiglioni 385 points in the overall standings. Mulser followed with 285 points, overtaking Stuffer (280) for third place in the final.

In the doubles event, Jakob Gruber Genetti and Alex Castiglioni (ITA), the only competitors, claimed both the race win and the overall title.

Junior World Cup Final – Latsch/Laces

Boys’ Singles
1.    Žiga Kralj (SLO) – 2:05.90 minutes
2.    Vid Kralj (SLO) – +0.29 seconds
3.    Paolo Auer (AUT) – +0.45

Girls’ Singles
1.    Nina Castiglioni (ITA) – 2:06.87 minutes
2.    Lotte Mulser (ITA) – +0.78 seconds
3.    Tina Stuffer (ITA) – +1.84

Overall Standings (4/4)

Boys
1.    Žiga Kralj (SLO) – 360 points
2.    Vid Kralj (SLO) – 310
3.    Paolo Auer (AUT) – 280

Girls
1.    Nina Castiglioni (ITA) – 385 points
2.    Lotte Mulser (ITA) – 285
3.    Tina Stuffer (ITA) – 280