Red-hot favourites for Romanian World Cup

Vatra Dornei (PMA) - Third Luge World Cup on Natural Track of the International Luge Federation (FIL) is hosted in Romania from 15th to 17th January. Vatra Dornei and its track “Bucovina” are the main stage of the weekend for the best luge athletes.

The race itself is also a dress rehearsal for the upcoming 21st FIL Luge World Championships on Natural Track. In 2017 the event is organised in Romania. Patrick Pigneter has a special relation to Vatra Dornei. The 28-year-old Italian won three out of four races held at “Bucovina” and secured his tenth Overall World Cup win last year.

He is travelling to Romania with confidence after winning both World Cup races so far. Alex Gruber is aiming to beat his team mate, after finishing last race second, only hundredths behind the great Italian champion. Austrian Thomas Kammerander was third at Latsch and the last and only athlete who beat Pigneter at Romania. The Austrian won in 2014.

At the women’s event a big duel between Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Ekaterina Lavrentyeva (RUS) is expected. While the Russian won last year’s race at Romania, the Italian dominated the last World Cup race at Latsch.

Patrick Pigneter and Florian Clara are the big favourites at the doubles event. The Austrian doubles are ready to take the victory and also the Russian doubles want to present themselves in a good shape, one week before their home World Cup at Moscow.

SCHEDULE:
Friday, 15.01.2016
from 09:00 training runs Men, Women, Doubles

Saturday, 16.01.2016
09:00 qualification run Men
10:30 qualification run Women
11:30 qualification run Doubles
13:30 competition run Doubles
          followed by flower ceremony
14:30 victory ceremony

Sunday, 10.01.2016
10:00 competition run Men
          followed by flower ceremony
11:00 competition run Women
          followed by flower ceremony
13:00 nation's event
          followed by flower ceremony
14:00 victory ceremony