Crazy race on the 1024 meter long "Bukovina"-track in Vatra Dornei (ROU). The third station in the FIL luge World Cup on natural track on Saturday brought one thing for sure: Nothing is fixed.

After the first run everything looked like an unchallenged victory for Alex Gruber (ITA). The 29-year-old, who became world champion for the first time in Vatra Dornei in 2017, was comfortably in the lead 0.39 seconds ahead over Thomas Kammerlander (AUT). Behind them, a true thriller of a hundredth took place: Only 0.19 seconds separated Kammerlander and Michael Scheikl (AUT) in fifth place.

(from left) Patrick Pigneter, Thomas Kammerlander and Florian Clara

In the decisive second run, Patrick Pigneter (ITA) showed a fabulous run and took the lead. His doubles partner Florian Clara (ITA), third after the first run, was 0.13 seconds slower than Pigneter, and Clara's long-awaited podium seemed to vanish. Kammerlander showed all his class and was able to manage a mini lead of 0.05 seconds over Pigneter at the finishline. All eyes were now on the favorite Alex Gruber, but the South Tyrolean was constantly losing time and was passed in fourth place at the finish. Kammerlander, who had not expected a win himself, celebrated his second win of the season in the third race, overall it was his 23rd victory in world cup. Patrick Pigneter moved up from fourth to second place and made it onto the podium for the first time this season, and third place for Florian Clara. It is only his second podium in a single seater since Kühtai 2014.

Thomas Kammerlander fixed his 23rd world cup victory

“These narrow gaps are killing me, but I'm very happy that I was able to fully score here. So I have a tiny gap for Deutschnofen, because Gruber and Pigneter are the favorites there,” explained a happy Thomas Kammerlander after the race. “I have no idea why I was so slow in the second run. You can't gamble away such a big lead, I have to take my time to look at the run,” Gruber puzzled at the finish.

This is the highlight video:

In the overall World Cup, Kammerlander leads after three of seven races with 285 points, Alex Gruber follows with 245 points, third place is shared by Patrick Pigneter and Michael Scheikl with 185 points each, Florian Clara in fifth has 175 points.

On Sunday, the races in women's singles and doubles are scheduled on the "Bukovina“-track in Vatra Dornei.

Top-Three Vatra Dornei (ROU), 01/22/2022
1. Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) 2:26.44 minutes
2. Patrick Pigneter (ITA) +0.05 seconds
3. Florian Clara (ITA) +0.18 seconds