From Passeiertal, ITA
(January 4, 2026) – For the second time in three races the Alpine Luge World Cup has a new winner in women’s luge, this time with Italy’s Nadine Staffler atop the podium in Passeiertal.
Staffler took the lead in the first heat ahead of teammate Daniela Mittermair by nearly a half a second. One sled later, Germany’s Lisa Walch got within a tenth of a second to take second place, with Jenny Castiglioni in third .13 back and two-time winner Riccarda Ruetz in fourth, only .14 back.
In the second heat, Mittermair put down a very clean run to take the lead from teammate Nina Castiglioni, but was quickly picked off by Ruetz. Ruetz then held the lead as both Castiglioni and Walch failed to match her two run downtime.
Staffler was the last slider off the top in the second heat. Her start trailed only Ruetz, and early on she was about even with the Austrian. However, Staffler was just a bit quicker from Grosse Kehre down, and out-slid Ruetz by .06 in the heat to take a .2 second victory.
Ruetz was second and Walch third for her first podium of the season.
“I like this track,” Staffler told FIL media after her first win. “I love the speed in the lower section especially. Now I can head to the next races with an even bigger smile!”
Mittermaier finished fourth, with Jenny Castiglioni in fifth and Nina Castiglioni in sixth.
The United States’ Katie Cookman narrowly missed a top ten finish in 11th.
Three races into the World Cup season, Riccarda Ruetz leads Nina Castiglioni by 65 points, with Nadine Staffler moving into third, 20 points behind Castiglioni. Walch sits fourth and Jenny Casitglioni fifth.
Results:
| Pos | Name | Nation | Bib | Start 1 | Start 2 | Run 1 | Run 2 | Total |
| 1 | Nadine Staffler | ITA | 16 | 10.88 | 10.86 | 55.34 | 55.79 | 1:51.13 |
| 2 | Riccarda Ruetz | AUT | 20 | 10.85 | 10.79 | 55.48 | 55.85 | 1:51.33 |
| 3 | Lisa Walch | GER | 17 | 10.94 | 11.04 | 55.44 | 56.13 | 1:51.57 |
| 4 | Daniela Mittermair | ITA | 13 | 10.94 | 10.95 | 55.80 | 55.82 | 1:51.62 |
| 5 | Jenny Castiglioni | ITA | 18 | 10.85 | 10.90 | 55.47 | 56.41 | 1:51.88 |
| 6 | Nina Castiglioni | ITA | 19 | 11.14 | 11.13 | 56.06 | 56.65 | 1:52.71 |
| 7 | Naomi Thöni | AUT | 15 | 11.02 | 11.09 | 56.47 | 57.06 | 1:53.53 |
| 8 | Hannah Nagele | AUT | 14 | 11.30 | 11.27 | 57.13 | 57.38 | 1:54.51 |
| 9 | Alina Schaffenrath | AUT | 12 | 11.41 | 11.43 | 56.96 | 58.24 | 1:55.20 |
| 10 | Ruby Carla Holland-Moritz | GER | 11 | 11.19 | 11.20 | 59.93 | 59.88 | 1:59.81 |
| 11 | Katie Cookman | USA | 9 | 11.47 | 11.36 | 59.99 | 60.10 | 2:00.09 |
| 12 | Magdalena Enig | GER | 7 | 11.57 | 11.54 | 59.92 | 60.33 | 2:00.25 |
| 13 | Patricija Urbanc | CRO | 8 | 11.63 | 11.59 | 61.05 | 61.40 | 2:02.45 |
| 14 | Felicia Hagn | GER | 2 | 11.55 | 13.30 | 64.45 | 65.05 | 2:09.50 |
| 15 | Mckenna Wnuk | USA | 3 | 15.02 | 14.03 | 81.28 | 73.36 | 2:34.64 |
| 16 | Elise Palecek | USA | 1 | 12.59 | 13.22 | 82.87 | 73.65 | 2:36.52 |
| 17 | Tina Stuffer | ITA | 6 | 10.89 | 56.08 | |||
| 18 | Lotte Mulser | ITA | 10 | 11.03 | 56.19 | |||
| 19 | Carina Miller | AUT | 5 | 11.15 | 57.50 | |||
| 20 | Emma Ruetz | AUT | 4 | 11.15 | 59.30 |