Showdown in the Jaufental valley: Who will be crowned the overall winner?

The World Cup is entering its final stretch. This coming weekend in the Jaufental valley, the decisions will be made for the overall victories in the men's doubles and singles. Only Riccarda Ruetz has already secured the overall World Cup title in the women's singles.

February 17, 2026

From: sn

The Tonnerboden track in the Wipptal luge center, with a run time of just over 50 seconds, is one of the shorter tracks in the Alpine Luge World Cup, but this doesn't diminish the excitement – ​​quite the opposite. A key section on the 660-meter-long track is the finish S-curve, where you can gain – or lose – a lot of time.

At the first World Cup final on the track, which was only built in 2017, three pairs will compete for the overall victory in the doubles on Friday evening. After six of seven races, Tobias Paur and Andreas Hofer lead the overall standings for the first time with 490 points, just ahead of the reigning world and European champions Matthias Lambacher and Peter Lambacher (485 points). The pair that finishes ahead in the doubles standings will take the crystal globe. The overall winners from 2024/2025, Maximilian Pichler and Nico Edlinger (455 points), likely only have a mathematical chance of retaining the title.

Gruber is the favorite

In the men's singles, Daniel Gruber (525 points) goes into Saturday evening's final with a comfortable 55-point lead over Fabian Achenrainer (470 points). Achenrainer has recently been in top form, with two victories in Umhausen. If Achenrainer wins the final (100 points), Gruber would need to finish at least seventh (46 points) to win the overall World Cup title for the first time. Gruber's best overall World Cup result was fifth place in the 2023/2024 season, while Achenrainer finished sixth in the 2021/2022 season.

Daniel Gruber starts the race with a large lead. © Ulrich Wilhelm

With her victory at the Eliminator in Umhausen two weeks ago, Riccarda Ruetz secured the overall title in the women's singles with one race remaining. This marks the first time since Elvira Holzknecht won the title in the 1998/1999 season that the overall victory has gone to Austria. Behind Ruetz, Lisa Walch (430 points) and European Champion Nina Castiglioni (401 points) are battling for second place.

Riccarda Ruetz has made history. © Ulrich Wilhelm

After training on Friday afternoon, the doubles final kicks off at 8 p.m. on the nearly 660-meter-long Tonnerboden track. On Saturday at 5 p.m., the first run for the singles women and men takes place, followed by the grand finale at 6:30 p.m. with the awards ceremony and World Cup party in the marquee at the finish area. DJ Pire will be warming up the fans and athletes with great beats starting at 3 p.m.

Program Final FIL Alpine Luge World Cup 2025/2026

Friday, 20.02.2026
10:30 a.m.: National training for women's and men's singles
10:30 a.m.: National training for women's and men's singles
19 p.m.: Nations training doubles
20 a.m.: Doubles race, followed by a flower ceremony

Saturday, 21.02.2026
17 a.m.: 1st single-seater women's race
17.30 a.m.: 1st single-seater men's race
18.30 p.m.: Women's single-seater final, followed by a flower ceremony
19.30 a.m.: Men's single-seater final, followed by a flower ceremony
8:30 p.m.: Awards ceremony for doubles, women's singles, and men's singles in the finish area