The kick off for the new season of luge on natural track was given on Thursday at Winterleiten (AUT). At the start of the Junior World Cup, there were a few new faces at the award ceremony.

After the national training session, the doubles went into the decision on Thursday afternoon. On the European Championshios-track 2018, Anton Gruber Genetti / Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) fought a thrilling duel with Peter Neupauer / Dominik Neupauer (SVK). In the second intermediate time the Slovaks were still in the lead, with a brilliant finish the Italians beat the Neupauer brothers by 0.33 seconds with a time of 1.09.77 minutes. With Gabriel Halcin / Samuel Halcin in third place, another doubles from Slovakia stood on the podium. For both Slovaks it is the first podium of their young careers in the Junior World Cup.

Neupauer/Neupauer (SVK) celebrating their second place in Winterleiten

In the mens singles the "Azzurri" celebrated a double victory with Daniel Gruber and Fabian Brunner on Friday. Gruber prevailed over Brunner with the best time in both runs with a lead of 1.57 seconds. The overall winner of the previous year was in fourth place after the first run, in the decision he was able to overtake the local heroes Sebastian Feldhammer (AUT) and Miguel Brugger (AUT). While Feldhammer has his first podium in the Junior World Cup in the books, Brugger slipped off the podium in fourth, just 0.04 seconds behind his team-mate.

Daniel Gruber (ITA) at the start

There was a new winner face in the women’s singles. The German Sarah Schiller set the best time in both runs (2.07.52 minutes) an celebrated her first victory in the Junior World Cup. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) follows 1.49 seconds behind. Jenny Castiglioni (ITA / + 3.26 seconds) took her first podium in the Junior World Cup in third place.

First victory in den Junior World Cup for Sarah Schiller (GER)

The next stage in the Junior Luge World Cup on natural track is on January 5th and 6th, 2022 Latzfons / Lazfons (ITA).

The Top-3:
Doubles
1.    Anton Gruber Genetti/Hannes Unterholzner (ITA), 1.09,77 minutes
2.    Peter Neupauer/Dominik Neupauer (SVK), +0,33 seconds
3.    Gabriel Halcin/Samuel Halcin (SVK), +2,36 seconds

Men's singles
1.    Daniel Gruber (ITA), 2.04,68 minutes
2.    Fabian Brunner (ITA), +1,57 seconds
3.    Sebastian Feldhammer (AUT), +1,94 seconds

Women's singles
1.    Sarah Schiller (GER), 2.07,52 minutes
2.    Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), +1,49 seconds
3.    Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), +3,26 seconds