Since the World Cup finale in February 2019 in Umhausen (AUT), luge-legend Patrick Pigneter has not been on the top of the podium. On Sunday, the 35-year-old fought back at the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA) and celebrated his 49th World Cup victory.

49th victory for Patrick Pigneter (ITA)

“This is probably one of my sweetest victories. After four years, I'm back on top of the podium, and here in Deutschnofen, just a few kilometers from my hometown,” Patrick Pigneter explained at the winner's interview. The veteran already performed very well in the first run with an intermediate third place. In the finale run, "Pigi" set the best time in all sectors and took the lead with a total time of 1:48.35 minutes. Both, World Champion Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) and the half-time leader Alex Gruber (ITA), didn’t beat that time. The leader of the world cup standing finished second, defeated by 0.01 seconds. “Of course I would have preferred to win, but my second run wasn't clean. And I am really happy for Patrick," said Gruber after the heart-stopping finale.

(from left) Alex Gruber (ITA), Patrick Pigneter (ITA) and Thomas Kammerlander (AUT)

In the overall standings, Gruber leads after five of seven races with 415 points, ahead of Kammerlander (395) and Michael Scheikl (AUT/385), who finished on fourth place on the "Pföslriep"-track.

Lanthalers in their own league

In the women's singles, Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) is in her own league. With the best time in both runs, the 31-year-old celebrated in 1:49.39 minutes her 41st World Cup victory with a lead of 1.90 seconds. Tina Unterberger (AUT), who was third after the first run, improved to one position in the second run, while Greta Pinggera (ITA) slipped from second to third place after a mistake in the first turn. Lanthaler leads the overall standings with a maximum of 500 points, followed by Unterberger (360) and Pinggera (356).“I was extremely nervous before the first run today, but the first run was really perfect. Maybe I just needed this tension”, Lanthaler analyzed her race.

(from left) Tina Unterberger (AUT), Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Greta Pinggera (ITA)

There was strong applause at the finishline for the Ukrainian Anastasiya Slyusar, the 23-year-old from Lviv competed in a World Cup race for the first time since the Russian invasion of her home country and immediately came in eighth.

Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente and Umhausen to step in

Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente remains the focus of natural track luge, because of the mild temperatures the FIL World Championships will be moved from Vatra Dornei (ROU) to Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente. Ten years after the 2013 World Championships, the "Pföslriep"-track from February 10th to 12th will once again be the venue of the title fights. The 6th stage of the World Cup planned in Vatra Dornei be rescheduled at the finale in Umhausen from Februar 17th to 19th. Within the next few days, the FIL Executive Board will formally approve this program change.

Here is the video with the highlights of the day...

Top 3 women's singles
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 1:49.39 minutes
2. Tina Unterberger (AUT) +1.90 seconds
3. Greta Pinggera (ITA) +2.10 seconds

Top 3 men's singles
1. Patrick Pigneter (ITA) 1:48.35 minutes
2. Alex Gruber (ITA) +0.01 seconds
3. Thomas Kammerlander (ITA) +0.21 seconds