At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, German doubles lugers secured medals. Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina won silver in the women's event, while Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt took bronze in the men's. It marked the first Olympic race in women's doubles luge.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy featured a premiere in luge on the fifth competition day: the first Olympic women's doubles race took place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, combined with the men's event. German teams delivered strong performances, though Italy as host nation claimed gold in both categories.
First, Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina secured silver. The 35-year-old Eitberger, ending her career, was emotional: "I had a gut feeling four years ago that something big was coming. I didn't know it would be in doubles then." The 20-year-old Matschina from Bad Aibling said: "I was super nervous before both runs - and just wanted to have fun." Gold went to the Italian duo Voetter/Oberhofer, with Austria taking bronze.
An hour later, Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt clinched bronze after a weak start in the first run. Wendl, 38, stated: "That's indescribable. This bronze medal means everything to us. Almost more than the others, because it was so important." Arlt added: "It's so valuable, better than wood." Gold was won by Rieder/Kainzwaldner (Italy), silver by Austria.
The German pair Toni Eggert/Florian Müller missed out with fourth place. National coach Patric Leitner criticized the IOC: "I find it sad that the IOC doesn't provide more starting spots" – only eleven sleds were allowed for women, one per nation. The German lugers now aim for gold in the team relay.
