The podium at the juniors' event in Umhausen.

Junior World Cup: Slovenia's winning streak continues

At the third Junior Alpine Luge World Cup of the 2025/2026 season in Umhausen (AUT), five lugers engaged in a nail-biting battle for the podium places.

11 January 2026

From: fop

The Grantau track is considered a technically demanding natural toboggan run and a guarantee for exciting races. The young lugers gave it their all on Sunday on the 944-meter track; after the first run, Ziga Kralj (SLO) led ahead of local favorite Simon Saurer (AUT) and Vid Kralj (SLO).

In the final, 15-year-old Alexander Staffler (ITA) from South Tyrol rose to the occasion from seventh place and took the lead with the fastest run time. Michael Noah Tinzl (ITA), who was fourth at the halfway point, overtook Staffler by a mere 0,02 seconds to temporarily claim the lead. Vid Kralj couldn't catch the two Italians and slotted into second place behind Tinzl, 0,04 seconds back. Simon Saurer delivered a solid run and moved into the lead, while Ziga Kralj, who had led at the halfway point, trailed for his third Junior World Cup victory until the final split. With a blistering finish, the 17-year-old managed to salvage a mere 0,06-second lead with a total time of 2:28.07.

After two wins and a fourth place, Ziga Kralj leads the overall World Cup with 260 points, ahead of his brother Vid (225), who won the opening race, and Paolo Auer (AUT/220).

Italy sweeps the podium in the women's singles. Nina Castiglioni (ITA) led an Italian sweep of the podium with her second victory of the season. With the fastest time in both runs and a total time of 2:29.55 minutes, the 16-year-old was the only luger to break the magical 2:30-minute barrier, followed by Tina Stuffer (ITA/+0,51 seconds) and Lotte Mulser (ITA/+0,58).

In the overall standings, Castiglioni leads with 285 points going into the final, ahead of Stuffer (210) and Mulser (200). The Junior World Cup concludes in mid-February with the final in Latsch.

Junior World Cup Umhausen:

Top 3 single-seater men
1.Ziga Kralj (SLO), 2:28.07 minutes
2. Simon Saurer (AUT), +0,06 seconds
3.Michael Noah Tinzl (ITA), +0,08

Top 3 single-seater women
1.Nina Castiglioni (ITA), 2:29.55 minutes
2.Tina Stuffer (ITA), +0,51 seconds
3. Lotte Mulser (ITA), +0,58