The sprint slalom was a complete success. © Klaus Listl / Klaus Listl

“A diamond in the rough”: Test event a complete success

Last Saturday, the Zukunftswerkstatt Alpin Rodeln und Breitensport tested a new race format at the middle station of the Jennerbahn.

March 02, 2026

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Under perfect weather conditions and spring-like temperatures, the aim was to test the sprint slalom under World Cup conditions. Luge legends Patrick Pigneter and Michael Scheikl set a fair course on the cordoned-off ski slope near the mid-station – the very spot where the first Ski World Cup race was held on January 5, 1967.

In the women's singles, Jenny Castiglioni was in a class of her own with a total time of 38,58 seconds. Alpine luge overall winner Riccarda Ruetz made a serious mistake in the first run, but thanks to the fastest time in the second run, she secured second place overall, ahead of Lotte Mulser. "The adjustment to the new alpine luge is significant, but I managed it very well. The atmosphere was fantastic," the winner rejoiced.

Sprint slalom is still "a rough diamond"

Mathias Troger, who finished on the podium twice in the past World Cup season, impressed in the men's singles with a perfect blend of solid technique and risk-taking. The fastest time in both runs and a total time of 36,65 seconds secured him first place, ahead of European Champion Daniel Gruber and Fabian Achenrainer. "I think I handle soft snow on a ski slope very well. I like the new format; it's a rough diamond that still needs polishing from all of us," Troger stated after the test race.

Daniel Gruber, Mathias Troger and Fabian Achenrainer. © Klaus Listl

Thomas Schwab, Chairman of the Board of the German Bobsleigh and Luge Federation (BSD), was enthusiastic: “We have seen that this new race format works. We don't need an icy luge track; a cordoned-off ski slope is sufficient. This conserves resources; this is the future. I hope that we will soon experience a proper Alpine Luge World Cup on the Jenner.”

Much praise from the officials

Christoph Schweiger, Executive Director of the International Luge Federation (FIL), also drew a positive conclusion. "We're usually out on icy tracks in the forest; with this format, we're bringing luge to where the people are. I'm convinced this approach will be successful." Dietmar Herbst, President of the International Luge Union (ISSU), also spoke of a successful event: "This new piece of equipment has been developed over the past few years. This difficult task has been mastered brilliantly, because it wouldn't have been possible with either the current racing or sports luge. The strength of this new luge is its versatility; it runs on both snow and ice."

The test event was a complete success. © Klaus Listl

Gerhard Mühlbacher, head of the Future Workshop for Alpine Luge and Recreational Sports: “We have seen where this is headed. The path we have chosen is the right one. We need races like these on ski slopes as a complement to the classic races on luge tracks. If more people come into contact with luge through such events, then that can only be good for alpine luge as a recreational sport.”