Premieres and South Tyrolean quadruple victory in Passeier

After the hosts' victory in the doubles on Saturday by Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher, the Italians celebrated again on Sunday. In the singles, Nadine Staffler and Hannes Unterholzner became first-time winners.

04 January 2026

From: pm

There's a new winner in the women's singles: Nadine Staffler (ITA) clearly feels at home on the "Bergkristall" track. With the fastest time in both runs and a total time of 1:51.13 minutes, the 25-year-old celebrated her first World Cup victory in commanding fashion. "I like this track, I love the speed in the lower section. Now I can go into the next races with an even bigger smile," Staffler said happily.

With a rapid run in the second heat, Riccarda Ruetz (Austria, +0,20 seconds) improved to second place, while Lisa Walch (Germany, +0,44) was delighted with her first podium finish this winter, taking third. Ruetz leads the overall standings with 285 points, ahead of Nina Castiglioni (220) and Staffler (200).

Quadruple trophy for Azzurri

The men's singles final was incredibly exciting. After the first run, Hannes Unterholzner and Fabian Brunner were tied for the lead. In the final run, Daniel Gruber initially took the lead with a strong performance, and Brunner had to settle for second place behind his teammate. On the 874-meter-long "Bergkristall" natural toboggan run, it initially looked like Gruber would secure his second victory of the season, but Unterholzner unleashed his full power in the final section, reaching a top speed of 86 km/h, and celebrated his first World Cup victory with a total time of 1:48.57 minutes and a lead of just 0,03 seconds.

Daniel Gruber, Hannes Unterholzner and Fabian Brunner (from left) beam on the podium. © Ulrich Wilhelm

“I first stood on the podium in Winterleiten, and now my first victory. This year is simply going incredibly well,” said the 21-year-old. Unterholzner led an Italian sweep of the podium, with Daniel Gruber (+0,03 seconds), Fabian Brunner (+0,51), and Mathias Troger (+0,70). In the overall standings, Gruber leads with 255 points, ahead of Unterholzner (240) and Fabian Achenrainer (215). The World Cup remains in South Tyrol, with a classic event scheduled in Deutschnofen from January 16-18.

Top 3 single-seater men
1. Hannes Unterholzner (Völlan), 1:48:57 minutes
2.Daniel Gruber (Schleis), +0,03 seconds
3.Fabian Brunner (Feldthurns), +0,51

Top 3 single-seater women
1.Nadine Staffler (Laas), 1:51.13 minutes
2. Riccarda Ruetz (Austria), +0,20 seconds
3. Lisa Walch (Germany), +0,44

Overall standings singles women
1. Riccarda Ruetz (Austria), 285 points
2.Nina Castiglioni (Partschins), 220
3. Nadine Staffler (Laas), 200

Overall standings singles men
1.Daniel Gruber (Schleis), 255 points
2. Hannes Unterholzner (Völlan), 240
3. Fabian Achenrainer (Austria), 215

Keywords Winter sports Alpine tobogganing Nadine Staffler Hannes Unterholzner