On Sunday the men also started the new season of the FIL Luge World Cup on natural track. On the “Grantau”-track in Umhausen (AUT) the top 3 raced head-to-head and finished within a few hundredth of a second.

The foundation stone for a very exciting finale was laid in the first run. Alex Gruber (ITA) started the decisive second run as the leader, with World Champion Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) in second place just 0.23 seconds back, followed by the overall winner of last season Michael Scheikl (AUT/+ 0.32 seconds). In the decision, Scheikl first set the new best time in 2:27.62 minutes. Kammerlander was able to beat his teammate and took the lead with a gap of 0.21 seconds. Alex Gruber didn't get an flawless run in the finale, at the finish he was in second place just 0.08 seconds behind Kammerlander. 

(from left) Alex Gruber (ITA), Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) and Michael Scheikl (AUT)

Even the winner hadn't expected that: “I didn't have a good feeling during on the track and would have been happy with second place. It’s awesome I can celebrate my first World Cup victory as reigning World Champion, ”said Kammerlander at the finish line.

Winner Thomas Kammerlander (AUT)

The reigning World Champions also prevailed in the Team Event: Team Italy (Evelin Lanthaler/Alex Gruber) won in 2.32.29 minutes ahead of Team Austria (Michelle Diepold/Thomas Kammerlander) and Team Russia (Ekaterina Lavrenteva/Aleksandr Egorov).

(from left) Team Austria, Team Italy and Team Russia

Next weekend (January 15th and 16th) the second FIL Luge World Cup on natural track will again take place in Umhausen (AUT).

Top-3 men’s single, Umhausen (AUT)
1. Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) 2.27.41 minutes
2. Alex Gruber (ITA) +0.08 seconds
3. Michael Scheikl (AUT) +0.23 seconds

Top-3 Team Event, Umhausen (AUT)
1. Italy (Lanthaler / Gruber) 2.32.29 minutes
2. Austria (Diepold / Kammerlander) +0.78 seconds
3. Russia (Lavrenteva / Egorov) +1.85 seconds