Sibling power on natural tracks

Tobogganing is our passion,” says Matthias, at 24, the younger of the two Lambacher brothers, summing it up. “And we are a well-rehearsed duo. Everyone knows exactly what the other is doing,” adds 26-year-old Patrick. The brother duo from Villnöß recently made heads turn with silver in the doubles at the World Championships in Umhausen (here you can find the race reports) . In addition to the European Championship gold a year ago, this was her biggest success to date in natural track tobogganing.

The two of them know how to celebrate success. After all, they won everything there was to win in sport tobogganing. Among other things, the Lambacher brothers have won two world championship titles, a gold medal at European championships and countless victories in international and national races.

The switch to luge finally took place in the 2018/2019 season. Why did they take so long to do this? “First we wanted to win big in sports tobogganing,” laughs Matthias Lambacher. A change to the youth sector was not yet an option for her. “We just felt comfortable on the sports toboggan,” Patrick also remembers. There are also some big differences. “The natural track is of course always the same, but with the luge you travel much faster and every small technical mistake is punished,” they explain.

The Lambacher brothers on the sports toboggan: Here they won everything there was to win. In the natural track tobogganing World Cup, however, they are still waiting for their first victory. © Gruber

Changeover mastered The two ultimately mastered the change excellently. On the natural track, they made heads turn at the second World Cup race of the 2018/2019 season in Obdach-Winterleiten, Austria, taking second place - behind their teammates and idols Patrick Pigneter and Florian Clara. In any case, the two veterans have played a major role in the Lambacher brothers' sporting life for years. “It is very fortunate to have such teammates. We can learn a lot from both of them,” the siblings explain in unison.

2 brothers and their idols (from left) Matthias Lambacher, Patrick Lambacher, Patrick Pigneter and Florian Clara at the World Cup in Umhausen. © Mirjam Jennewein

A side detail: It was Clara, among others, who quickly recognized the Rodel brothers' talent. The man from Val Badia was there to help the young tobogganers with tips and tricks right from the start. “He was an important training partner for us,” says Lambacher. The veteran from Campill immediately saw what a well-rehearsed team the brothers are. Big shoes to fill At some point they will undoubtedly want to follow in the footsteps of the most successful luge double of all time. “Of course, the World Cup gold medal is already a goal in the next few years,” says Matthias Lambacher. To do this, they train hard and intensively. In the winter, the two tobogganers concentrate largely on the sport. Otherwise, the brothers also work professionally. “Unfortunately, you can’t make a living from natural track tobogganing alone,” they know. Matthias Lambacher works for the Eisacktal district community in a rehabilitation facility for people with addictions, his brother Patrick, who now lives in Castelrotto, works as a bike guide in a hotel in Steinegg.

Patrick and Matthias on the bike.

If natural track tobogganing were to be recognized as an Olympic discipline in the next few years, things would of course look different. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina are also a dream for the Lambacher brothers. Before that, there are still a few titles up for grabs for the friendly people from Eisacktal in the coming years – the overall World Cup and World Championship gold, for example.

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Sibling power on natural tracks

The Eisacktal tobogganing brothers Matthias and Patrick Lambacher are sure to make people sit up and take notice. They only discovered luge two and a half years ago.

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