New year, new opportunities: On 5th and 6th January 2025, the third FIL Natural Track Luge World Cup will take place in Laas/Lasa (ITA). It is the final showdown before the World Championships in Kühtai (AUT).

Winner 2024: Daniel Gruber (ITA)

Laas/Lasa (FIL/31.12.2024) The natural luge track "Gafair," located on the edge of the Stelvio National Park, is always full of surprises. Last season, local hero Daniel Gruber (ITA) claimed his first World Cup victory here, ahead of Patrick Pigneter (ITA) and Fabian Brunner (ITA). After the double World Cup in Winterleiten (AUT), Michael Scheikl (AUT), who won in Laas in 2020, leads the overall standings with 200 points, followed by Alex Oberhofer (ITA/170) and the tied Fabian Brunner (ITA/130) and Florian Clara (ITA/130). The big question for Epiphany will be whether Scheikl can continue his winning streak in the Vinschgau Valley and whether luge legend Patrick Pigneter, who failed to score World Cup points in Winterleiten, can get back on track.

The women’s singles also saw a triple victory for the hosts: serial winner Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) triumphed over Daniela Mittermair (ITA) and local favourite Nadine Staffler (ITA). After two races, Lanthaler leads the overall standings with 200 points, followed by Tina Unterberger (AUT/140) and Mittermair (130). Anything other than Lanthaler’s 54th World Cup win would be a surprise.

In the doubles, current overall leaders Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) were only beaten by Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA). Pichler/Edlinger started the season in Winterleiten with two victories, while Lambacher/Lambacher struggled with equipment adjustments and currently sit in third place in the overall standings with 140 points, behind teammates Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA/170).

Schedule
Sunday, January 5th
9:00 AM: National training singles women/singles men
11:00 AM: National training singles women/singles men
1:00 PM: National training doubles
2:00 PM: Doubles race, followed by flower ceremony and awards presentation

Monday, January 6th 

10:00 AM: First run singles women
10:30 AM: First run singles men
11:30 AM: Final run singles women, followed by flower ceremony
12:15 PM: Final run singles men, followed by flower ceremony and awards presentation for women and men