The fifth FIL Luge World Cup on natural track in Laas (ITA) brought a tiny preliminary decision in the men's single battle for the overall World Cup. When Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) won, the World Cup leader Michael Scheikl (AUT) finished second to keep his fiercest rival in the battle for the overall World Cup, Patrick Pigneter (ITA), at a distance. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) celebrated her fifth win of the season in the women’s category, and Pigneter/Clara (ITA) conquered their 12th victory in the overall World Cup in the penultimate race in the doubles.

The men's single race was not for the faint of heart. Thomas Kammerlander was not among the fastest in the upper part of the track, but pushed hard in the high-speed part in the final section of the "Gafair-track“ and set the fastest time in 1:02.73 minutes. For the overall winner of the last four seasons, it was the 20th World Cup victory of his career. With a small gap of 0.04 seconds behind, European Champion Michael Scheikl (AUT) and World Champion Alex Gruber (ITA) finished ex aequo in second place. Patrick Pigneter (ITA), Scheikl's first pursuer in the overall World Cup, finished fourth, just 0.07 seconds behind. In the overall standings, a preliminary decision was made before the World Cup final on Wednesday in Laas, Scheikl is now 70 points ahead of Pigneter with 100 points still to be awarded.

Weltcup Laas Kammerlander Thomas

Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) celebrated in Laas his 20th World Cup victory

“As I did in Passeier in mid-January, I was super fast in the final part. My third win of the season is also my 20th World Cup win, which means a lot to me. In the all-time list of the best I have now caught up with double World Champion (2001/2005, editor's note) Anton Blasbichler (ITA), who is one of the greats in luge on natural track,” said a delighted Kammerlander at the finish.


Lanthaler continues winning streak
In the women's single Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) celebrated her fifth win of the season in the fifth race. The World Champion didn't get an optimal run in the upper part of the track, but already at the second intermediate she was in front and at the finish Lanthaler with a time of 1:03.37 minutes was 0.36 seconds ahead of her teammate Greta Pinggera (ITA). The Austrian Tina Unterberger (+0.51 seconds) took third place, it’s her first podium this season. With a maximum of 500 points Lanthaler clearly leads in the overall ranking ahead of Pinggera (425) and Daniela Mittermair (ITA/310). While Lanthaler after her 31st victory will probably be able to take her fifth overall victory, Mittermair (310) and Unterberger (290) are fighting for third place in the overall ranking.

Weltcup Laas Lanthaler Evelin

Fifth victory of the season for Evelin Lanthaler (ITA)

“That was a close race today. I didn't have a good feeling during the ride, especially in the upper section. I'm really happy that it was enough to win, ”said Lanthaler.


12th overall victory for Pigneter/Clara
Patrick Pigneter/ Florian Clara (ITA) have added another milestone to their glamorous career in the doubles category. With a time of 1:06.87 minutes, the World Champions celebrated their fourth win of the season and thus secured their 12th victory in the overall World Cup in the penultimate competition of the season. Second place went to the European Champions Patrick Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (ITA / + 0.08 seconds), ahead of the Russians Aleksandr Egorov/Petr Popov (+0.10 seconds), who were on the podium for the first time this winter.

Weltcup Laas Podium Doppelsitzer

(from left) Lambacher/Lambacher (ITA), Pigneter/Clara (ITA) and Popov/Egorov (RUS)

“The 12th overall win is really special. This shows that we are still world class even after so many years. At the final on Wednesday we can now drive freely ”, said Pigneter.


On Wednesday the final of the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track is on the program on the "Gafair-track“ on the edge of the Stelvio National Park. While the finfth World Cup competition was decided in just one run on Tuesday in order to protect the track, the final will be held in two runs as usual. All races will be shown on livestream on the homepage of the International Luge Federation FIL.
 

5th World Cup, Laas (ITA)

Podium men’s single

1. Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) 1:02:73 minutes
2. Alex Gruber (ITA) 1:02:77 minutes
2. Michael Scheikl (AUT) 1:02:77 minutes

Podium women’s single
1. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 1:03:37 minutes
2. Greta Pinggera (ITA) 1:03.73 minutes
3. Tina Unterberger (AUT) 1: 03.88 minutes

Podium doubles
1. Pigneter/Clara (ITA) 1:06, 87 minutes
2. Lambacher/Lambacher (ITA) 1.06.95 minutes
3. Egorov/Popov (RUS) 1:06.97 minutes
 

Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 (World Cup finals)
9 am: 1st run men’s single
10 a.m .: 1st run women’s single
10.45 a.m .: Final run men’s single, followed by flower ceremony
11.30 a.m .: Final run women’s single, followed by flower ceremony
12.30 p.m .: 1st run doubles
1.30 p.m .: Final run doubles, followed by flower ceremony