Pichler/Edlinger celebrate comeback victory after injury lay-off

European champions claim third win of the season at the Alpine Luge World Cup in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA)

Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) celebrated an emphatic comeback victory at the FIL Alpine Luge World Cup on Saturday. After a three-week break (Pichler had cut his finger while preparing the sleds) and just one training run, Pichler/Edlinger returned to competition with a win.

Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger on their way to the third victory of the season

Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (FIL/17 January 2026) A look at the sector times shows that Pichler/Edlinger did not feel entirely comfortable in the opening metres; the injured finger was clearly still a handicap, particularly at the start. After posting the third-fastest split time in the top section of the 785-metre natural track “Pföslriep”, the reigning European champions went on to set one sector best time after another. With a time of 59.91 seconds, the Austrians were the only doubles team to break the one-minute barrier.

“This really is a successful comeback – it couldn’t be better. I didn’t expect us to be right back on the top step of the podium straight after the injury break,” said Pichler in the winner’s interview. He and Edlinger will now focus on defending their title at the European Championships in Laas/Lasa (ITA) from 23–25 January.

The runners-up were the reigning World Champions Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA, +0.34 seconds), followed by the reigning Junior World Champions Gabriel Halcin/Samuel Halcin (SVK, +4.21). Fellow favourites Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA) went off the track shortly before the finish while on course for a podium place; they were able to continue to the finish uninjured and grabbed 50 valuable points for the overall World Cup standings.

(from left) Peter Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (ITA), Nico Edlinger/Maximilian Pichler (AUT) andGabriel Halcin/Samuel Halcin (SVK)

In the overall standings, Lambacher/Lambacher lead after four of seven races with 330 points, ahead of Pichler/Edlinger (300) and Paur/Hofer (290).

Three races are on the programme in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente on Sunday: women’s singles, men’s singles and the team event. All runs will be broadcast live via livestream on the International Luge Federation (FIL) website.

Programme
Sunday, 18 January 2026
10.00: 1st competition run – Women’s singles
10.30: 1st competition run – Men’s singles
11.30: Final run – Women’s singles, followed by flower ceremony
12.15: Final run – Men’s singles, followed by flower ceremony
13.30: Team event, followed by flower ceremony
14.00: Prize-giving – Women’s singles, Men’s singles and Team event