Exciting kick-off in Winterleiten in Styria for the FIL Luge World Cup on Natural Track 2020. Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) won the women’s single seater,  in the doubles the victory went to the Russians Pavel Porshnev / Ivan Lazarev.

On the podium: Pinggera, Lanthaler, Unterberger

Evelin Lanthaler confirmed her number 1 status in women’s single seater  setting the fastest time in both runs. In a total time of 2:27.74 minutes Lanthaler was followed by Greta Pinggera (ITA/+1.22) on 2nd place and Tina Unterberger (AUT/+1.85) on 3rd position. After the first run Unterberger was on 2nd place, but had some difficulties on second run. 
“It was my big goal to start the new season with a win. I was fast in trainings and had a good feeling from the very beginning. I am very satisfied, ”said Lanthaler after the award ceremony.

Thrilling competition in the doubles

The doubles race was not for the faint-hearted. With a brilliant finish in the first run the defending champions from Italy, Patrick Pigneter / Florian Clara, prevailed against the Russians Pavel Porshnev / Ivan Lazarev by only 0.04 seconds. In the decisive second run the veterans from Russia showed a sparkling clean ride especially in the middle section, with a total time of 2: 35.13 minutes they pushed the young Italians Patrick Lambacher / Matthias Lambacher from the top. The half-time leaders Pigneter / Clara had already squandered their mini-lead in the upper section of the course, despite a strong performance in the last section  the reigning world champions did not come close to the fabulous time of the Russians by 0.11 seconds. For Proshnev / Lazarev the new season begins as the old one ended: At the 2018/2019 season finale in Umhausen the Russians also gained the victory.
Ivan Lazarev: “It was a perfect race in difficult conditions. Starting the new season with a win is fantastic. ”

On the podium: Clara/Pigneter, Lazarev/Porshnev, Lambacher/Lambacher

On Sunday the two runs for men’s single seaters are scheduled, followed by the new team competition:  Only 2 runners (woman-man) will start and not 3 runners (woman-man-man or woman-woman-man) as before.