On Friday, the training sessions for the FIL World Championships in natural track luge were held on the “Pföslriep”-track in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA). The favorites showed up right away - and exciting title fights are on the horizon.

Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente is ready for the World Championships 2023

Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (FIL/02/10/2023) The 24th FIL World Championships in natural track luge in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA) promise high excitement. The favorites already confirmed the distribution of roles in training on Friday. In the men's singles, Michael Scheikl (AUT) set the fastest time in 54.50 seconds in the first run, just 0.02 seconds behind "Mister Deutschnofen" Alex Gruber (ITA). Defending champion Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) came in third, just 0.02 seconds ahead of Patrick Pigneter (ITA), who won the World Championship dress rehearsal two weeks ago in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente. In the second training run, Gruber (54.57 seconds) set the fasted time, ahead of Pigneter and Scheikl (+0.10 seconds) tied in second place.

A clear matter were the training sessions in the women's singles. Defending champion Evelin Lanthaler (ITA) set the best time in both runs (54.85 seconds/ 55.20 seconds). In the first training session, local hero Daniela Mittermair (+0.94) took second place, ahead of Greta Pinggera (ITA/+1.11). In the second training run, Pinggera (+0.60) secured second position, ahead of Tina Unterberger (AUT/+0.95).

In the doubles, the expected duel between the defending champions Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara (ITA) and the leaders of the World Cup standings, Patrick Lambacher/Matthias Lambacher (ITA) comes to a head. In the first training run, the fastest time went to Pigneter/Clara (59.09 seconds), Lambacher/Lambacher (59,08) were the fastest in the second training run.

The opening ceremony fort he World Championships 2023 will be held on Friday evening (7 p.m.) in the marquee.

The program of the 24th Natural Track Luge World Championships 2023*
Saturday February 11th
9 a.m.: 1st run men’s singles
10 a.m.: 1st run women‘s singles 
10.45 a.m.: 1st run doubles
11.30 a.m.: 2nd run women‘s singles
12.30 p.m.: Final run doubles, followed by flower ceremony

Sunday February 12th
9 a.m.: 2nd run men’s singles
10 a.m.: Final run women’s singles, followed by flower ceremony
10.45 a.m.: Final run men’s singles, followed by flower ceremony
12.30 p.m.: Team competition, followed by flower ceremony
2 p.m.: Awards ceremony