Riccarda Ruetz celebrated a historic home victory in North Tyrol. © Ulrich Wilhelm

South Tyrolean women defeated – Historic victory for Ruetz

Riccarda Ruetz from North Tyrol won the Eliminator in Umhausen on Sunday, bringing the overall World Cup victory to Austria after 27 years.

February 08, 2026

From: pm/sn

The 955-meter-long natural toboggan run "Grantau" saw a race for the history books on Sunday. In the Eliminator final, Nadine Staffler from Laas, European Champion Nina Castiglioni (Partschins), Lisa Walch (GER), and Riccarda Ruetz faced off. Ruetz delivered a truly dream run, securing her fourth victory of the season in 1:14.21 minutes, ahead of Castiglioni (1:15.34 minutes) and Walch (1:15.67). Staffler (1:17.00) finished fourth.

“I was completely focused, I wanted to show what I can do, and I succeeded,” explained Ruetz, who wasn't initially sure at the finish line whether she had already secured the overall World Cup title with one race to go. With her victory in the Eliminator, the 21-year-old can no longer be overtaken at the top of the World Cup standings; Ruetz is the overall World Cup champion for the first time. “I'm absolutely thrilled, this was my big goal,” said Ruetz. After 27 years, the large crystal globe returns to Austria for the women's competition; the last overall winner was Elvira Holzknecht from Ötztal in the 1998-1999 season.

The men's podium with Daniel Gruber, Fabian Achenrainer and Hannes Unterholzner. © Ulrich Wilhelm

Fabian Achenrainer leaves the Ötztal Valley with two victories in two days. Just 24 hours after his World Cup win, the 25-year-old also won the Eliminator race – in impressive fashion with a time of 1:13.00 minutes. Daniel Gruber from Schleis finished second (1:13.56 minutes), followed by his teammates Hannes Unterholzner (Völlan/1:13.68) and Mathias Troger (Tisens/1:13.91). "That was a perfect weekend for me, winning both races – it couldn't be better," Achenrainer said, satisfied after his third victory of the season.

Before the final in Jaufental on February 21, Gruber leads the overall standings with 525 points, followed by Achenrainer (470) and Troger (385).

Eliminator, Women
1.Riccarda Ruetz (AUT) 1.14,21:XNUMX minutes
2.Nina Castiglioni (Partschins) 1:15.34 minutes
3.Lisa Walch (GER) 1.15,67:XNUMX minutes
4.Nadine Staffler (Laas) 1:17.00 minutes

Men
1.Fabian Achenrainer (AUT) 1.13,00:XNUMX minutes
2.Daniel Gruber (Schleis) 1:13.56 minutes
3. Hannes Unterholzner (Völlan) 1:13.68 minutes
4. Mathias Troger (Tisens) 1:13.91 minutes