Nina Castiglioni is European champion, © Ulrich Wilhelm

Luge European Championships in Laas: Medal haul for South Tyrol

The European Championships in Alpine Luge were held in Laas (South Tyrol) on Sunday. All three gold medals went to the home team.

25 January 2026

From: pm

She came, she saw, she conquered: 16-year-old Nina Castiglioni (South Tyrol) immediately secured the gold medal at her first championships in the senior category. With the fastest time in both runs, she kept her composure despite heavy snowfall on the natural toboggan run "Gafair" and won in 2:08.59 minutes, ahead of three-time World Cup winner Riccarda Ruetz (AUT/+0,40 seconds) and Lisa Walch (GER/+1,10). The bronze medal won by the 24-year-old is the first ever European Championship medal in alpine luge for the German Bobsleigh and Luge Federation.

“Before the second run, I was a little nervous at the start. I put in two great runs and, to be honest, I’m speechless,” Nina Castiglioni admitted with tears in her eyes. “I gave it my all; the conditions weren’t easy. That was all I could manage today; Nina was simply better,” said the reigning and defending European Championship silver medalist, Riccarda Ruetz, showing good sportsmanship. Ruetz is now fully focused on the three remaining World Cup races, where she leads the overall standings ahead of Walch and Castiglioni. “I’m absolutely thrilled with the bronze medal, even though my second run didn’t go as planned,” Walch said after the race.

Triple victory for South Tyrol in the men's singles

In the men's singles, local hero Daniel Gruber (South Tyrol) secured his first major title. The reigning vice world champion laid the foundation for his success on his home track with a clear fastest time in the first run. With a total time of 2:07.39 minutes, he crowned himself European champion for the first time, ahead of his teammates Alex Oberhofer (South Tyrol, +0,67 seconds) and Fabian Brunner (South Tyrol, +0,90). "During the power outage in the second run, I got increasingly nervous, so I grabbed a broom and helped the track workers clear the fresh snow from the course. That took my mind off things. My first run was great, the second run was solid. I'm relieved that I managed to win the gold medal," Gruber said happily at the finish line, also emphasizing the good work and positive atmosphere within the team.

The South Tyrolean European Championship podium. © Ulrich Wilhelm

“I’m proud of my first European Championship medal. Of course I wanted gold, but Daniel is skiing extremely well in all conditions at the moment, I couldn’t compete with him,” explained Oberhofer. “After the first run I was pretty annoyed, things just didn’t go right. The fastest time in the second run was the key to the bronze medal,” explained a beaming Brunner, who was only in sixth place after the first run.

World champions strike back

In the doubles, reigning world champions Matthias Lambacher and Peter Lambacher (South Tyrol) once again pulled out all the stops. After a disappointing training session on Saturday, they switched positions on the sled again, with Peter moving to the front and Matthias taking over the rear position. After being in third place at the first split, the World Cup leaders steadily improved their pace, securing their first European Championship title with a time of 1:08.34 minutes. "This title was the missing piece in our collection. It was hard work, but we're incredibly happy," Peter Lambacher rejoiced over his first European Championship gold. Matthias Lambacher had already won his first European Championship title in 2020 with his older brother Patrick as the front man.

Matthias and Peter Lambacher left nothing to chance. © Ulrich Wilhelm

Defending champions Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT) didn't have the best final section, losing over 0,30 seconds to Lambacher/Lambacher in the last 15 seconds and having to settle for silver, ahead of Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (South Tyrol/+0,50 seconds). "Our feelings are mixed; on the one hand, we're happy with the silver medal, but on the other hand, it's obviously a shame that we didn't manage to defend our title," explained Pichler, who is now focusing on the next World Cup races together with Nico Edlinger.

“Third place at the European Championships is fine; Lambacher/Lambacher and Pichler/Edlinger are strong competitors. Hopefully, we can give them a run for their money now and then in the World Cup,” Andreas Hofer declared, issuing a challenge to the new European and Vice-European Champions.

The FIL Alpine Luge World Cup continues from February 5th to 7th in Umhausen (AUT) with the classic World Cup and the Eliminator.

The results

Top 3 single-seater women
1.Nina Castiglioni (ITA), 2:29.55 minutes
2.Riccarda Ruetz (AUT), +0,40 seconds
3. Lisa Walch (GER), +1,10 seconds

Top 3 single-seater men
1.Daniel Gruber (ITA), 2.07,39:XNUMX minutes
2.Alex Oberhofer (ITA), +0,67 seconds
3. Fabian Brunner (ITA), +0,90 seconds

Top 3 double seaters
1. Matthias Lambacher/Peter Lambacher (ITA), 1:08.34 minutes
2.Maximilian Pichler/Nico Edlinger (AUT), +0,35 seconds
3. Tobias Paur/Andreas Hofer (ITA), +0,50 seconds

Medal table 31st Alpine Luge European Championships 2026
1.Italy 3/1/2
2.Austria 0/2/0
3.Germany 0/0/1