LATZFONS. Record at the Junior Luge World Cup in Latzfons (ITA) in South Tyrol: Over 70 athletes from 17 different countries from all over the world took part in the Natural Track Luge Junior Series from January 4th to 5th – as much as never before. This proves the positive development of the Junior Luge World Cup and shows its growing significance in the world.
 

For some athletes, the road to Latsch was a long one: Yuri Assine Gregorio (BRA), for instance, was flying more than twelve hours to participate in the Junior Luge World Cup. Since there are no appropriate training possibilities in his homeland, the races on ice are always something special for the man from South America: “For me, every race is a new adventure,” the Brazilian, who considers the Lahnwiesen-track in Latzfons as one of his favorites, reports. Tristen Vidlund (USA), who also had to make a long trip to Europe, shares Gregorio’s view: “I like the track, it’s fun,” says the American, who can practice on a track at her home in Michigan. In Latzfons, also a team from Asia was present, namely the one from Kazakhstan. Matvei Stepulenok, one of the athletes from the Kazakh squad, ranked 32nd in Latzfons, right after his compatriot Nikita Batukhtin: “I’m satisfied with the race, the track is interesting and not too difficult to handle.” The race in Latzfons was the first Junior Luge World Cup race for the Kazakh, who has started at the World Cup race last year in the Russian capital Moscow and intends to do so again at the GRM Group World Cup this year. Jack Leslie from New Zealand also has some experience in the World Cup, in Latzfons he ranked second after a good second run: “In the first run, I had some problems with the steels, but the second run was much better,” the reigning Junior Luge World Cup Champion explains. After the race, he set out for Latsch/Laces (ITA), where the next competition of the GRM Group World Cup is going to take place from January 5th to 7th.
 

With a time of 02:08.11 minutes, the winner of the men’s event in Latzfons was Florian Markt (AUT), he was able to keep Leslie and Philip Haselrieder (ITA) at bay. Fabian Achenrainer (AUT), who has triumphed at the previous Junior Luge World Cup race in Winterleiten (AUT), ranked fourth.

At the women’s event, the Italians were dominating the race, the best athlete on this day was Alexandra Pfattner (ITA): She had a time of 02:07.17 minutes and was almost four seconds faster than Daniela Mittermair, her compatriot on the second rank. Mittermair, who was victorious in Winterleiten, still holds the lead in the overall Junior Luge World Cup ranking. Nadine Staffler, also from Italy, came in third with 02:12.30 minutes.

At the doubles’ event, the winners Achenrainer and Miguel Brugger (AUT) had a time of 02:19.36 minutes and were almost three and a half seconds faster than runner-ups Kirill Kravchuk and Aleksandr Zyrianov (RUS). Manuel Gaio and Nicolo Debertolis from Italy ranked third.

The next race of the Junior Luge World Cup will be held from January 14th to 15th in Laas/Lasa (ITA). Latzfons, on the other hand, will stand in focus again in the year 2019, when the Natural Track Luge World Championships will take place there.