Big bang at the FIL World Cup in natural track luge in Laas/Lasa (ITA). On Sunday, Daniel Gruber (ITA) celebrated his carreer first World Cup victory – right on his home track. The 2022 Junior World Champion led a quadruple victory for the “Azzurri”.

Daniel Gruber is celebrating his first world cup victory

Laas/Lasa (FIL/07.01.2023) First podium place and at the same time first World Cup victory for Daniel Gruber in the FIL World Cup in natural track luge. On his home track in Laas/Lasa, the athlete from the A.S.C. Laas Raiffeisen set the best time in both runs in the men's singles. With a total time of 2:08.57 minutes, he relegated record World Cup winner Patrick Pigneter (+0.38 seconds) and Fabian Brunner (+0.57) to places of honor. “My goal for the season was a podium finish, the fact that it was my first World Cup victory is unbelieveble,” said the newly crowned World Cup winner. Florian Clara (+0.82) completed the “Azzurri’s” quadruple victory. With Ziga Kralj (+1.09) and Vid Kralj (+1.98), two Slovenians follow in fifth and sixth place. Michael Scheikl (AUT/+2.28), who was second at the season opener in Kühtai in mid-December, did not get past seventh place, meaning the Styrian lost valuable points in the fight for overall victory.

Podium men (from left): Patrick Pigneter (ITA), Daniel Gruber (ITA) and Fabian Brunner (ITA)

Pigneter leads the interim standings after two of seven races with 185 points, ahead of Gruber (150) and Scheikl (131).

In the women's singles, series winner Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) was in a class of her own, with a fantastic time of 2:08.81 minutes, she held her pursuers Daniela Mittermair (ITA/+1.86 seconds) and local hero Nadine Staffler (ITA/+2.07) clearly at a distance. With her 45th World Cup victory, Lanthaler (200 points) extended her lead in the overall World Cup, followed by Daniela Mittermair and Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) with 145 points each. “I showed two almost perfect runs, I especially did the first run very well,” explained Lanthaler during the winner’s interview. Just missing the podium were Ruetz (+2.11) and Lisa Walch (GER/+2.13), who was in second place after the first run.

Podium women (from left): Daniela Mittermair (ITA), Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Nadine Staffler (ITA)

The FIL World Cup in natural track luge continues from January 19th to 21st in Umhausen (AUT), where also the only eliminator will take place.

Top 6 men’s singles
1. Daniel Gruber (ITA), 2:08.57 minutes
2. Patrick Pigneter (ITA), +0.38 seconds
3. Fabian Brunner (ITA), +0.57
4. Florian Clara (ITA), +0.82
5. Ziga Kralj (SLO), +1.09
6. Vid Kralj (SLO), +1.98

Top 6 women’s singles
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA), 2:08.81 minutes
2. Daniela Mittermair (ITA), +1.86 seconds
3. Nadine Staffler (ITA), +2.07
4. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), +2.11
5. Lisa Walch (GER), +2.13
6. Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), +2.92