From February 4th to 7th, 2021, the new World Champions in luge on natural track will be announced on the "Grantau"-track in Umhausen (AUT). The defending champions all come from Italy. Local hero Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) wants to become World Champion for the first time on his home track. In the junior division, the new European Champions will be announced in Jaufental (ITA) on February 1st.

The 955 meter long “Grantau”-track has been a popular venue for the various national teams for the last training before the World Championships the past few weeks. The three defending champions all come from Italy, Alex Gruber (men's single), Evelin Lanthaler (women's single) and Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (doubles) have also done some extra runs in Ötztal.

Thomas Kammerlander is one of the biggest favourites for the gold medal

After overcoming the corona infection and the terrific comeback with a double victory at the World Cup in Passeier (ITA), Thomas Kammerlander from Umhausen is one of the top favorites for the gold medal. A few days before his 31st birthday on February 13, the overall winner of the last four seasons wants to crown himself World Champion in the singles for the first time. “I've been working towards this day for two years,” emphasizes Kammerlander. At the 2017 World Championships in Vatra Dornei (ROU), “Kammi” won gold with Austria in the team competition. His brother Gerald, currently the natural track sports director in the Austrian Luge Association, was crowned World Champion in Umhausen back in 2011.

Junior European Championships in Jaufental

Before the 23rd FIL World Luge Championships on natural track in Umhausen, the final of the FIL Junior World Cup and the 36th European Junior Championships in Luge on Natural Track will take place in Jaufental (ITA). Before the big showdown, Fabian Brunner (ITA) leads in the men's single with a maximum of 300 points, ahead of his teammates Daniel Gruber (240) and Hannes Unterholzner (205). In the women's single Lisa Walch (GER) is grabbing with currently 300 points after the overall victory, ahead of Riccarda Ruetz (AUT/240) and Sarah Schiller (GER /225). The final in the dobles promises a lot of excitement: Anton Gruber Genetti/Hannes Unterholzner (ITA) leading with 285 points ahead of Maximilian Pichler/Dominik Peter Maier (AUT/245) and the Slovenes Bine Mekina/Blaz Mekina (225). Atheltes from 13 countries are participating at the finals.

Lisa Walch is grabbing for the gold medal in Jaufental 

There are no defending champions at the Junior European Championship. Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) and Daniela Mittermair (ITA) are meanwhile regulars in the FIL World Cup, in the doubles Fabian Achenrainer/Miguel Brugger (AUT) won the gold medal.

The World Cup program in Umhausen (AUT)
Thursday, February 4th, 2021
9.30 a.m .: 2 training runs women, men and doubles

Friday, February 5th, 2021
11 am: 1st run doubles
12 noon: Final doubles followed by flower ceremony
1:15 p.m .: 1st competition run women's single

Saturday, February 6th, 2021
10.30 a.m .: 2nd run women's single
11.30 a.m .: 1st run men's single
1:15 p.m .: Final women's single followed by flower ceremony

Sunday, February 7th, 2021
10 a.m .: 2nd run men's single
12 noon: Final men's single followed by flower ceremony
1:15 p.m .: Team competition followed by flower ceremony

The program in Jaufental (ITA)

Sunday, January 31, 2021
4th Junior World Cup
9.30 a.m .: 1st run juniors men's single
then: 1st run juniors women's single
11 a.m .: Final juniors men's single followed by award ceremony
12 noon: Final juniors women's single followed by award ceremony
1 p.m .: race doubles followed by award ceremony

Monday, 02/01/2021
36th European Junior Championships9.30 a.m .: 1st run juniors men's single
then: 1st run juniors women's single
11 a.m .: Final juniors men's single followed by award ceremony
12 noon: Final juniors women's single followed by award ceremony
1 p.m .: Championship race doubles followed by award ceremony