The brothers Patrick and Matthias Lambacher (ITA) are currently setting the pace in doubles. At the FIL World Cup in natural track luge on Friday in Jaufental/Val Giovo (ITA), they continued their winning streak and, after the double victory in Winterleiten (AUT) at the start of the season in December, celebrated their third win in a row.

Lambacher/Lambacher on the way for their 3rd victory in a row

Jaufental/Val Giovo (FIL/13.01.2023) The hosts cheered at the World Cup premiere on the “Tonnerboden”-track in Jaufental/Val Giovo. In the doubles there was a triple victory for the "Azzurri". As in Winterleiten, Lambacher/Lambacher were in second place after the first run, only 0.26 seconds behind the leaders Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA). In the second run, Lambacher/Lambacher went all in, set the best times in all three sectors and grabed their third win of the season in 1:50.29 minutes. The half-time leaders Pigneter/Clara took second place, 0.15 seconds behind, ahead of their young teammates Mathias Troger/Daniel Gruber (+1.67 seconds). For Troger/Gruber it was the first start in doubles in the World Cup.

Podium doubles: (from left/back row) Pigneter/Clara (ITA), Lambacher/Lambacher (ITA), Troger/Gruber (ITA), (from left/front row) Kralj/Vertelj (SLO), Neupauer/Neupauer (SVK)

“We always aim to do well in the first run, but it seems it doesn't quite work. But we are very strong in the second run," analyzes Patrick Lambacher. The overall World Cup isn't an issue yet: "We're focussed on the next race, at the end of the season we will see," says Matthias Lambacher.

"The track here is relatively easy, so it's particularly difficult to win," explains Pigneter, adding: "Duels like this are nice for the spectators, but not so much for us."

Side note: Pigneter/Clara celebrated their first World Cup victory in the 2006/2007 season. Since then it only happenend three times (2006/07, 2016/17 and 2022/23) that the record winners (65 victroies) have not won three races in a row.

The next doubles race is scheduled Saturday from 2 p.m., followed by the night race at 6 p.m. with decisions in the men’s and women’s singles. On Sunday in Jaufental/Val Giovo from 10 a.m. the other races (men’s singles/women’s singles) are on the program. All races will be broadcast live on the website www.fil-luge.org.

Top 5 doubles Jaufental/Val Giovo (ITA)
1. Patrick Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (ITA) 1:50.29 minutes
2. Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) +0,15 seconds
3. Mathias Troger/Daniel Gruber (ITA) +1,67 seconds
4. Matevz Vertelj/Vid Kralj (SLO) +3,52 seconds
5. Peter Neupauer/Dominik Neupauer (SVK) +6,95 seconds

Top-3 two-seater overall ranking
1. Patrick Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (ITA) 300 points
2. Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) 255
3. Matevz Vertelj/Vid Kralj (SLO) 180

The program of the FIL World Cup in natural track luge in Jaufental/Val Giovo (ITA)

Saturday, 01/14/2023
First run doubles (2 p.m.)
Final run doubles (3 p.m.), followed by the award ceremony
First run men’s singles (6 p.m.)
First run women’s singles (6.50 p.m.)
Final run men’s singles (7.30 p.m.)
Final run women's singles (8.15 p.m.), followed by award ceremonies

Sunday, 01/15/2022
First run men’s singles (10 a.m.)
First run women’s singles (11 a.m.)
Final run men‘s singles (11.45 a.m.)
Final run women's singles (12.30 p.m.), followed by award ceremonies