Kick-off on Thursday fort he 2020/2021 season in the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track.  In the replacement race for Kühtai (AUT), the favorites prevailed.

In the men's singles Michael Scheikl (AUT) repeated his victory from the 2019/2020 season, the Styrian set the best time in both runs (2.01.83 minutes) and took the win in front of his teammate Christian Schopf (AUT / + 1.32 seconds). For the local hero, who actually wanted to end his career last summer, it was the first podium in the World Cup. Third place went to Patrick Pigneter (ITA), the South Tyrolean is 1.45 seconds behind the winner. In the absence of overall winner Thomas Kammerlander (AUT), who was tested positive for the corona virus before traveling to Winterleiten, the Austrians celebrated a double victory.

Winner Michael Scheikl celebrates in Winterleiten

“I knew I was in good shape. But I didn't expect a win. Above all, I am delighted with Christian Schopf's first podium. A Styrian one-two at the World Cup in Styria is special“, said Michael Scheikl after his fourth World Cup victory.

Triple victory for Italian women

In the women's singles World Champion Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) extended her winning streak, the South Tyrolean has been unbeaten since Vatra Dornei (ROU) in January 2020. With a time of 2.04.48 minutes Lanthaler led an Italian triple victory, her teammates Greta Pinggera (+0.87 seconds) and Daniela Mittermair (+1.67) followed in the places of honor. For Mittermair, who was second after the first run, it was the first podium in the World Cup.

Italian podium in Winterleiten

"I was not satisfied with the first run, in the second run I drove with more risk and it was the right recipe," said Lanthaler happily at the finish.

Pigneter/Clara confirm number one-status

In the doubles, there was a double victory for the team from Italy. The most successful doubles-pair in history, Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) set the best time (2.10.41 minutes) in both races and clearly won ahead of their team mates Patrick Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (+0.82 seconds). Third place went to the Austrians Christoph Regensburger/Dominik Holzknecht (+2.34 seconds). The two Tyroleans endet their carreer after the 2017/2018 season, but after a two-year break, the guys from Ötztal decided to comeback considering the World Championships in their hometown in February 2021.

Florian Clara (l.) and Patrick Pigneter after the finishline in Winterleiten

"In the doubles everything just fits together in a perfect way, we harmonize very well and the material is also great," analyzed Florian Clara after the opening win.

On Friday, the second World Cup continues on the Winterleiten track, which has been shortened by around 160 meters in summer. This World Cup also can be seen via livestream on the homepage of the International Luge Federation FIL.

The program
Freitag / Friday, 18.12.2020 (2. Weltcup / 2nd World Cup)
10.00 Uhr    1. Wertungslauf Doppel / First run doubles 
10.30 Uhr    1. Wertungslauf Damen / First run women
11.00 Uhr    Weltcup-Finallauf Doppelsitzer / Final run doubles 
    anschl. Blumenzeremonie / followed by flower ceremony
11.45 Uhr    Weltcup-Finallauf Damen / Final run women
    anschl. Blumenzeremonie / followed by flower ceremony

Samstag / Saturday, 19.12.2020 (2. Weltcup / 2nd World Cup)
10.00 Uhr    1. Wertungslauf Herren /    First run men
11.00 Uhr    Weltcup-Finallauf Herren / Final run men
    anschl. Blumenzeremonie / followed by flower ceremony
12.00 Uhr     Teambewerb / Team Competition
    anschl. Blumenzeremonie / followed by flower ceremony

Änderungen vorbehalten / Subject to change