On Sunday in Mariazell (AUT) the fifth stage of the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track came to an end with the race in doubles and the team competition. In the doubles, the season's dominators Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) had double reason to be happy.

As on Saturday, the race in the doubles was decided in a single run, the second run was canceled due to the thaw and the soft track. With the best time in all sectors, Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) were the only duo to stay below the 1:13 minute mark in 1:12.63 minutes. For the season's dominators, it was the fifth win in five races and also the 65th World Cup win of their careers. Fabian Achenrainer/Simon Achenrainer (AUT) were 0.89 seconds behind in second place, ahead of the reigning european champions Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS/+1.02 seconds). The reigning junior world champions Matevz Vertelj/Vid Kralj (SLO) set an exclamation point in fourth place.

Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara celebrating their 65th win with teammates and their sponsor Hans Trenker

“Five wins in five races is great, but I can't promise that we'll win all seven races. You saw it at the European Championships, two small mistakes are enough and the others are faster," analyzed Pigneter. “65 is an impressive number, but we are looking ahead. At the end of our career we will start to count”, Clara explained.

In the team competition Italy remains a force

In the final team competition, Italy continued its winning streak with Evelin Lanthaler/Alex Gruber. In 2:21.86 minutes, the "Azzurri" also won the third team competition of the season. Austria (Riccarda Ruetz/Michael Scheikl) and Russia (Ekaterina Lavrenteva/Grigory Bukin) took pride of place.

(from left) Podium team competition: Michael Scheikl/Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), Alex Gruber/Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Ekaterina Lavrenteva/Grigory Bukin (RUS)

The 2021/2022 season comes to an end in Moscow (RUS) with the 6th World Cup stage and the eliminator (former pursuit) from February 25th to 27th.

Top three doubles
1. Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) 1m 12.63s
2. Fabian Achenrainer/Simon Achenrainer (AUT) +0.89 seconds
3. Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS) +1.02 seconds

Top three overall ranking doubles (5/7)
1. Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) 500 points
2. Fabian Achenrainer/Simon Achenrainer (AUT) 370 points
3. Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS) 295 points