The first competition day at the FIL Luge World Cup on Natural Track had to be stopped after the first run of men’s singles.  Because of the exceptionally mild weather conditions the ice on the track did not withstand the load of the lugers.

Safety first, for this reason on Friday the jury chaired by Simon Paregger (AUT) decided to interrupt the World Cup in Moscow after only one run. A mild breeze in the Russian capital provides plus degrees, the ice on the "Sparrow Hill-track" on the banks of the Moskva was fragile, the safety of the athletes could not be guaranteed in such conditions. The weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday is promising, the temperatures will drop to -9 degrees Celsius. FIL Sporting Director Andreas Castiglioni is optimistic: "We will now repair the critical points on the track, as soon as the temperatures drop, the track is ready to race again".

Anyway, one result is official on Friday: In the Nations Cup local hero Iurii Talkykh (RUS) took the win, 0.03 seconds ahead of Matthias Lambacher (ITA) in second and Bernd Neurauter (AUT) in third position.

After the first run in men's singles, World Champion Alex Gruber (ITA) is in the lead, Florian Glatzl (AUT) and Patrick Pigneter (ITA) following in second and third position. Gruber found the fastest line and was 0.21 seconds ahead of Glatzl and 0.31 ahead of Pigneter. The Austrian Thomas Kammerlander, who is tied with Gruber in the overall World Cup- standing, follows in 4th place.

Important note: Due to the interruption on Friday there may be program-changes on Saturday and Sunday.