Luge World Cup 2024-25: Top Athletes In Contention For The Title

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Luge World Cup 2024-25 will return for its second round at Innsbruck’s “Ice Channel. 

World’s best sleds will converge in Innsbruck from 7-8 December for  two days of world cup racing. 115 sleds representing 23 national federation will take part at the Luge World Cup 2024-25. 

Innsbruck’s race track, which played post to Olympic Winter Games Innsbruck 1976, Winter Youth Olympic Games Innsbruck 2012 and other prestigious tournaments, has introduced a newly constructed start area for the women’s singles and doubles’ events.

“The women’s and doubles’ start has already been moved up 200 metres,” confirmed FIL Sport Director Matthias Böhmer. “The biggest challenge for athletes was the start curve, which had a strange angle and ended the race for some women and doubles. Moving the start doesn’t make that much of a difference, but it’s nicer and more homogeneous to race.”

The Innsbruck leg of the Luge World Cup 2024-25 will provide athletes with crucial world cup points. It will also serve to boost the confidence of the sleds in the run up to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. 

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The men’s doubles pair of Toni Eggert and Florian Mueller, who claimed the most decisive victory Lillehammer in the first round of the Luge World Cup 2024-25, are the top contenders. They will face tough competition from Wolfgang Kindl and Thomas Steu of Austria, who finished third in the Lillehammer.

Team USA’s Jonathan Gustafson, who secured top-five finish in Lillehammer, will be hungry for a podium finish. Italy’s Dominik Fischnaller  will be looking to gather as many points ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026.

The women’s singles,current world champion Lisa Schulte of Austria will be challenged by Germany’s Julia Taubitz and Team USA’s Emily Sweeney for crucial world cup points.

American duo of Chevonne Chelsea Forgan and Sophia Kirkby, who won in Lillehammer, a mere 0.017 seconds are sleds to watch out for.

However, they will have to negotiate with current world champions Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp of Austria, who are looking to play spoiler after finishing sixth in Lillehammer.

Schedule of the 2024-25 Luge World Cup Innsbruck

All times local (CET)

7 December

• 09:30 Women’s doubles – run 1
• 10:25 Women’s doubles – run 2
• 11:40 Men’s doubles – run 1
• 12:55 Men’s doubles – run 2
• 14:05 Women’s singles – run 1
• 15:25 Women’s singles – run 2

8 December

• 10:30 Men’s singles – run 1
• 11:55 Men’s singles – run 2
• 13:30 mixed team relay

Also Read: ISU World Cup Speed Skating 2024-25: Top Athletes To Watch Out For

2024-25 Luge World Cup Innsbruck: How to watch live

Fans can catch all the action live on the FIL’s website or YouTube channel.

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