Canadians, international sliders chase Olympic luge berths in Winterberg

Canadians, international sliders chase Olympic luge berths in Winterberg | iNFOnews.ca
Runner-up Julia Taubitz, of Germany, from left, winner Hannah Prock, of Austria, and third-placed Verena Hofer, of Italy, celebrate on the podium following the Luge Women World Cup, single-seater, 2nd run in Winterberg, Germany, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (David Inderlied/dpa via AP)

WINTERBERG, Germany (AP) — Austria’s Hannah Prock won a women’s World Cup luge Saturday, with Germany’s Julia Taubitz second and Italy’s Verena Hofer third.

Embry Lee Susko of Whistler, B.C., placed 10th, Trinity Ellis of Pemberton, B.C., was 15th and Caitlin Nash of Whistler, B.C., finished 19th.

In the men’s race, Austria’s Jonas Mueller edged Germany’s Felix Loch — still the World Cup leader — for the win, with Nico Gleirscher of Austria placing third.

Theo Downie of Airdrie, Alta., placed eighth and Calgary’s Cole Zajanski was 17th.

Saturday’s races were the fifth and final singles qualifier of the season for February’s Milan Cortina Winter Games.

Based on Saturday’s results, it appeared that the International Luge Federation will allocate two spots — one men’s singles, one women’s singles — to Russian athletes who would compete as neutral sliders at the Olympics.

The Russians did not compete on top international circuits over the last three seasons in response to their nation’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, though had some athletes permitted to compete this season in a chance to qualify for Milan Cortina.

Bobsled

At St. Moritz, Switzerland, Bree Walker of Australia got her series-leading third monobob win of the season, with Melanie Hasler of Switzerland second and Katrin Beierl of Austria third.

Melissa Lotholz of Barrhead, Alta., finished fifth and Toronto’s Cynthia Appiah of Toronto was 11th.

Reigning Olympic champion Kaillie Humphries Armbruster was fourth for the United States.

In two-man bobsled, Germany’s Johannes Lochner won for the fifth time in six races this season and Francesco Friedrich was second. Britain’s Brad Hall drove to third.

Ottawa’s Pat Nortan and Toronto brakeman Luka Stoikas were the top Canadian team in 20th ahead of teammates Taylor Austin of Calgary and Keaton Bruggeling of St. Catharines, Ont., in 21st.

Up next

Luge: World Cup men’s doubles, women’s doubles and team relay Sunday at Winterberg.

Bobsled: World Cup two-woman, four-man races Sunday at St. Moritz.

Skeleton: Men’s, women’s and mixed World Cup races on Jan. 16 at Altenberg, Germany.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Canadians, international sliders chase Olympic luge berths in Winterberg | iNFOnews.ca
Hannah Prock, of Austria, in action during the Luge Women World Cup, single-seater, 1st run in Winterberg, Germany, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (David Inderlied/dpa via AP)

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