Luge queen Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) continues to break records one after another. On Sunday, the 33-year-old secured her 55th World Cup victory, equalling the record set by Ekaterina Lavrenteva (RUS).

Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) has now 55 victories in her books

Mariazell (FIL/26.01.2025) – With the fastest time in both runs, Evelin Lanthaler stormed to the top of the all-time leaderboard and secured her 55th World Cup victory with a total time of 1:42.43 minutes. By doing so, she equalled the benchmark set by Ekaterina Lavrenteva. In two weeks' time in Umhausen (AUT), Lanthaler has the chance to become the sole record holder. She had already surpassed the Russian as the record holder at the World Championships in Kühtai (AUT) by securing her fifth World Championship title in the women’s singles.
"I managed two very good runs today, and I really enjoyed lugeing. Of course, I’m happy about these statistics, but records are not my goal—I just want to deliver good performances and win races," the serial winner said at the finish. Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) secured her first podium finish in the FIL World Cup, finishing 0.71 seconds behind Lanthaler, while Tina Unterberger (AUT/+1.13) set the fastest time alongside Lanthaler in the second run, propelling herself from sixth place to the podium.

(from left) Jenny Castiglioni (ITA), Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Tina Unterberger (AUT)

In the overall standings, Lanthaler leads with 400 points, with the new second-place holder Unterberger at 265 points. Daniela Mittermair (ITA) has slipped to third place with 239 points.

Florian Clara Back on Top

Local hero and world champion Michael Scheikl (AUT) drew a large crowd to the Sigmundsberg-track, which had been slightly shortened due to the thaw. However, the fans did not witness a home victory. Florian Clara (ITA), who had celebrated his first-ever World Cup victory two weeks ago in Laas/Lasa (ITA) after 18 years in the competition, delivered another impressive performance. With a total time of 1:41.36 minutes, he claimed his second World Cup victory.
His former doubles partner Patrick Pigneter (ITA) finished second (+0.46 seconds), while Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) took third place (+0.66 seconds). Achenrainer, who became junior world champion in Mariazell in 2020, secured his first-ever World Cup podium in the men’s singles. "It’s a shame I couldn’t win a medal at the World Championships, but at least I seem to have figured out how to win World Cup races," Clara joked. Following his victory on one of his favourite tracks, he now leads the overall standings with 330 points, ahead of Scheikl (325) and Alex Oberhofer (ITA/262).

(from left) Patrick Pigneter (ITA), Florian Clara (ITA) and Fabian Achenrainer (AUT)

The FIL World Cup in natural track luge continues in Umhausen from February 7th-9th with the fifth World Cup event and the Eliminator race.

Top 3 Women’s Singles, Mariazell
1.    Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) – 1:42.43 minutes
2.    Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) – +0.71 seconds
3.    Tina Unterberger (AUT) – +1.13 seconds

Top 3 Men’s Singles, Mariazell
1.    Florian Clara (ITA) – 1:41.36 minutes
2.    Patrick Pigneter (ITA) – +0.46 seconds
3.    Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) – +0.66 seconds