Overall Title: Lambacher/Lambacher Win Thriller Finale

Alpine Luge World Cup Final in Jaufental/Val di Giovo (ITA) Decided by 4 Hundredth of a Second

A nail-biting finish at the FIL Alpine Luge World Cup in Jaufental/Val di Giovo. Reigning World and European Champions Matthias and Peter Lambacher (ITA) celebrated their second win of the season on Friday evening, catching World Cup leaders Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) right at the finish line.

Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA) on the Tonnerboden-track

Jaufental/Val di Giovo (20/02/2026) – The situation ahead of the doubles final could hardly have been more dramatic. At the Tonnerboden track, two-time seasonal winners Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) started as World Cup leaders for the first time, while Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher had to go all in to secure the Crystal Globe.

With a run time of 55.01 seconds, the Lambacher brothers claimed their second victory of the season, finishing just 0.04 seconds ahead of last year’s overall winners, Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT). Paur/Hofer took third place, 0.46 seconds behind. This result saw Lambacher/Lambacher crowned overall World Cup winners for the second time after the 2023/2024 season, with a total of 585 points, ahead of Paur/Hofer (560) and Pichler/Edlinger (540). Junior World Champions Gabriel Halcin/Samuel Halcin (SVK/450) finished fourth overall.

(from left) Nico Edlinger/Maximilian Pichler (AUT), Peter Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (ITA) and Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA)

“It has been a very difficult season for us; things never really went smoothly. That makes it all the more special to win the big globe with a victory,” said Matthias Lambacher. Peter Lambacher highlighted their European Championship title in Laas/Lasa (ITA) in January in his season review, before surprising everyone with a statement: “Today was probably our last race. We’re leaving the door slightly open, but I don’t think we’ll be back on the start line next winter.”

“We’re satisfied with how the season went for us. We won three races and had a lot of fun,” said Maximilian Pichler. Due to a hand injury, Pichler/Edlinger had to sit out one race. “These things happen – it was up to us. We simply should have won in Umhausen and here. Congratulations to the Lambachers, they deserved the globe,” Edlinger added, showing true sportsmanship.

“I was already very nervous at the start. When you’re the World Cup leaders, you feel the pressure standing in the start house,” Tobias Paur admitted. “I’m extremely happy with the season. The fans here in the finish area with their cowbells were fantastic,” Hofer added.

The competition continues in Jaufental/Val di Giovo on Saturday from 5 pm with the singles finals. In the women’s singles, Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) has already secured the overall title. In the men’s standings, Daniel Gruber (ITA) leads ahead of Fabian Achenrainer (AUT), who set the fastest times in both training runs on Friday.

Top-3 Final Doubles
1. Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA), 55,01 seconds
2. Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT), +0,04 seconds
3. Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA), +0,46 seconds

Programme – FIL Alpine Luge World Cup Final 2025/2026
Saturday, 21/02/2026
5.00 pm: 1st run Women’s Singles
5.30 pm: 1st run Men’s Singles
6.30 pm: Women’s Singles Final, followed by flower ceremony
7.30 pm: Men’s Singles Final, followed by flower ceremony
8.30 pm: Prize-giving ceremony – Doubles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Singles (in the finish area)
Followed by overall FIL Alpine Luge World Cup 2025/2026 award ceremonies