Game, set, win and bye bye for Thomas Kammerlander (AUT). On “his” “Grantau”-track in Umhausen (AUT), the 33-year-old said goodbye to the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track in an impressive manner on Sunday.

Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) retires with his 27th victory

Umhausen (FIL/02/19/2023) At the World Cup finale, Thomas Kammerlander still had to work hard for his 27th World Cup victory. After the first run, veteran Patrick Pigneter (ITA) was 0.02 seconds ahead of the local hero. In the second run, “Kammi” showed a fabulous run and fixed the crowning glory of his career in 2:36.70 minutes. Not enough, the 2021 World Champion celebrated victory in the overall standings for the fifth time with 595 points. Pigneter finished second in the last race of the season, 0.13 seconds behind, ahead of World Champion Alex Gruber (ITA/+0.98 seconds). Gruber, who is also retiring, secured second place in the overall standings with 540 points, ahead of Michael Scheikl (AUT/419 points). The Vice World Champion came fourth in the season finale (+1.32).

“I wanted to win again at the end of my career. It was very emotional today, with many fans, the teammates. It doesn't get any better than that," said Kammerlander happily, adding: "Now I'm enjoying the good food at home, because I fasted before the finale to be lighter and therefore faster for the soft track conditions."

In the women's singles, Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) ended a perfect season with a record-breaking lead of 2.93 seconds. The 31-year-old won all seven races this season, took overall victory in the penultimate race and successfully defended her world championship title in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA). Tina Unterberger (AUT) was delighted with second place, beating Greta Pinggera (ITA) in the overall ranking in the fight for second place. For Unterberger it is the best career result in the overall World Cup. Pinggera caused emotions, the 2017 World Champion ended her successful career in third place, both in the race and in the overall ranking.

(from left) Tina Unterberger (AUT), Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) and Greta Pinggera (ITA)

Italy (5,827 points) secured the national ranking ahead of Austria (3,306) and Slovenia (1,240).

With a show team competition at the end, the luge family said goodbye to Greta Pinggera, Alex Gruber and Thomas Kammerlander.

Here is the video with the highlights of the day...

Finale Umhausen, 19.02.2023
Women’s singles
1.    Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 2.37,04 minutes
2.    Tina Unterberger (AUT) +2,93 seconds
3.    Greta Unterberger (ITA) +3,09
4.    Michelle Diepold (AUT) +3,45
5.    Jenny Castiglioni (ITA) +3,63
Men’s singles
1.    Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) 2.36,70 minutes
2.    Patrick Pigneter (ITA) +0,13 seconds
3.    Alex Gruber (ITA) +0,98
4.    Michael Scheikl (AUT) +1,32
5.    Fabian Brunner (ITA) +1,36

Top-3 Overal Ranking
Men’s singles
1.    Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) 595 points
2.    Alex Gruber 540
3.    Michael Scheikl 491
Women’s singles
1.    Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 700 points
2.    Tina Unterberger (AUT) 515
3.    Greta Pinggera (ITA) 511
Doubles
1.    Patrick Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (ITA) 655 points
2.    Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) 640 
3.    Matevz Vertelj/Vid Kralj (SLO) 370

Wall of fame World Cup Overall
Men’s singles
Patrick Pigneter (ITA) 11 
Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) 5 
Anton Blasbichler (ITA) 4 
Women’s singles
Ekaterina Lavrenteva (RUS) 12 
Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 7 
Sonja Steinacher (ITA) 4 
Elvira Holzknecht (AUT) 3 
Doubles
Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) 13 
Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS) 4 
Helmut Ruetz/Andi Ruetz (AUT) 4 

Wall of fame Weltcup victories
Men’s singles
Patrick Pigneter (ITA) 49 
Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) 27 
Anton Blasbichler (ITA) 20 
Alex Gruber (ITA) 14 
Michael Scheikl (AUT) 9 
Women’s singles
Ekaterina Lavrenteva (RUS) 55 
Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) 43 
Elvira Holzknecht (AUT) 16 
Doubles
Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) 68 
Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS) 23 
Reinhard Beer/Herbert Kögl (AUT) 18