At the 36th FIL Luge Junior European Championships on natural track in Jaufental (ITA) the favorites prevailed on Monday. In the men’s single the gold medal went to Fabian Brunner (ITA), in the women’s single Lisa Walch (GER) won, and in the doubles Anton Gruber Genetti/ Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) prevailed.

Triple victory for the hosts in the men’s single. Fabian Brunner (ITA) crowned an already perfect season on the “Tonnerboden-track”. With the best time in both runs he won his first European title with a total time of 1.46.65 minutes and led a triple victory for the Italians. His team mates Daniel Gruber (+0.97 seconds) and Hannes Unterholzner (+1.80) landed in the places of honor. With his fourth win of the season in the fourth race on Sunday, Brunner became the overall winner of the Junior World Cup. “That was a perfect season. This gold medal is really special, I'm really happy about my performance. And it is extremely cool that I can stand on the podium with 2 teammates and buddies, ”said the new European Junior Champion Fabian Brunner.

(from left) Daniel Gruber (ITA), Fabian Brunner (ITA) and Hannes Unterholzner (ITA)

Walch uses her last chance
In the women’s single Lisa Walch (GER) and Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) delivered a hundredth of a thriller. Walch was in the lead at halftime, while Ruetz was the fastest in the second run. In the end the reigning Junior World Champion Lisa Walch won in 1.50.85 minutes by 0.20 seconds ahead of Riccarda Ruetz, Sarah Schiller won the bronze medal (GER/ + 2.36 seconds). For Walch it was the last chance to win gold at the Junior Championships, next season she will not be allowed to start in the juniors. "After the World Championship title the gold medal at the European Championships makes me very happy," said Lisa Walch, who is out of the junior class with the European title.

(from left) Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), Lisa Walch (GER) and Sarah Schiller (GER)

Gruber Genetti/Unterholzner with a flawless run
With Anton Gruber Genetti/Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) the overall winners of the Junior World Cup also prevailed in the doubles. The Italians had an almost flawless run and secured their first European title in 57.00 seconds, ahead of the Austrians Maximilian Pichler/Dominik Peter Maier (+1.26 seconds) and the Russians Vladimir Levichev/Vlacheslav Kudriavtsev (+1.33 ). “I am extremely satisfied with the race. Except for a small mistake shortly before the finish line, we managed every passage perfectly, ”Anton Gruber Genetti analyzed.

(from left) Picher/Maier (AUT), Unterholzner/Gruber Genetti (ITA) and Levichev/Kudriavtsev (RUS)

View on the Junior World Championships 2022
“It was a first-class sporting weekend, the final of the Junior World Cup on Sunday and the Junior European Championships on Monday offered exciting races. Congratulations to the new European Champions, and a big thank you to the many volunteers next to and on the track who did a professional job, ”said Manfred Siller, President of ASV Jaufental. Next year, 2022, the Junior World Championship is on the program on the “Tonnerboden-track” in the Wipptaler luge centre.

Roll of honor 36th FIL Luge Junior European Championships on natural track, Jaufental 2021
Men’s single 
1. Fabian Brunner (ITA) 1.46.65 minutes
2. Daniel Gruber (ITA) 1.47.62 minutes
3. Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) 1.48.45 minutes

Women’s single 
1. Lisa Walch (GER) 1.50.85 minutes
2. Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) 1.51.05 minutes
3. Sarah Schiller (GER) 1.53.21 minutes

Doubles
1. Anton Gruber Genetti/ Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) 57.00 seconds
2. Maximilian Pichler/Dominik Peter Maier (AUT) 58.26 seconds
3. Vladimir Levichev/ Vlacheslav Kudriavtsev (RUS) 58.33 seconds