Vice-European Champion Michael Scheikl (AUT) grabed a historic victory at the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track in Mariazell (AUT) on Saturday. In the women's singles, on the other hand, Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) continued her impressive winning streak.
Due to the thaw of the past few days, the fifth stage of the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track in Mariazell in Upper Styria was held in just one run, and not usual in two runs. Local hero Michael Scheikl, who comes from Kindberg, just a few kilometers away, seized the opportunity and set a best time in 1:09.08 minutes on the “Sigmundsberg-track”. European Champion Alex Gruber (ITA) came in second, just 0.02 seconds ahead of third-placed Thomas Kammerlander (AUT). For Scheikl it is the first win of the season, the seventh win overall. Curious detail: The Styrian celebrated his first World Cup victory in January 2009 in Mariazell, in the last four World Cups in Styria (Winterleiten and Mariazell) the winner was always Michael Scheikl, six of his seven victories were won by the 32-year-old in Styria.
"It's crazy. I still remember that victory back then, at the same time as our current head coach Gerald Kammerlander. It was the opening race for my first full season. Today's race was difficult, I knew I had to drive every passage perfectly. It will be an exciting finish,” said Scheikl after his home race.
(from left) Alex Gruber (ITA), Michael Scheikl (AUT) and Thomas Kammerlander (AUT)
In the overall standings, with 430 points Gruber has taken the yellow jersey for the World Cup leader from Kammerlander (425 points), Scheikl is moving closer to the leading duo with 380 points. Before the season finale with the double World Cup in Moscow (RUS), Gruber leads the World Cup ranking alone for the first time this winter, after Kammerlander and Gruber were already tied in the lead after the second race.
Reigning Junior World Champion on the podium
Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) caused a surprise in the women's singles. The freshly crowned Junior World Champion finished third, it’s her first podium in the FIL World Cup. Italy celebrated a double victory: Evelin Lanthaler won in 1:10.49 minutes ahead of her teammate Greta Pinggera (+0.29 seconds). In the overall standings, Lanthaler leads with a maximum of 500 points ahead of Pinggera (380 points) and Lisa Walch (GER/345 points), who had to settle for sixth place in Mariazell. “I can't say whether I'll win all seven World Cups this season. In any case, I want to try. The track in Moscow suits me, I've already celebrated some great successes there," said Lanthaler, already looking ahead to the upcoming season finale.
Winner in Mariazell: Evelin Lanthaler (ITA)
On Sunday, two competitions are scheduled in Mariazell: The doubles and the team competition. The races in Mariazell will be broadcast live on the homepage of the international luge association FIL at https://www.fil-luge.org/en/live-streaming-natural
Top-Three men’s singles
1. Michael Scheikl (AUT) 1.09,08 minutes
2. Alex Gruber (ITA) +0,28 seconds
3. Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) +0,30 sec
Top-Three women’s singles
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 1.10,49 minutes
2. Greta Pinggera (ITA) +0,29 seconds
3. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) +1,13 sec
The program (CET), 5th FIL World Cup Mariazell, 18.-20. February 2022
Sunday, February 20th, 2022
9 a.m.: Training doubles
10 a.m.: Doubles race
11 a.m.: Team competition
Followed by flower ceremony for doubles and team competition, as well as award ceremony for women’s singles, men’s singles, doubles and team competition
