Germany’s Max Langenhan dominated the men’s singles luge event at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, setting two track records in as many runs at the Cortina Sliding Center to take the early lead.
The 26-year-old triple gold medalist at the 2025 World Championships recorded 52.924 seconds in his first run and improved to 52.902 seconds in his second, establishing a commanding position despite dealing with a sore neck.
“I woke up at 4 a.m. with a stiff neck and was thinking that I might not race today,” Langenhan told Xinhua.
“Then I went to our physiotherapist and doctors, and they did an amazing job. The start wasn't that good, and both runs had some small mistakes, but I'm happy with a good start to the first day of the Olympics. I hope to improve my neck pain and have a better start tomorrow.”
Austria’s Jonas Mueller and home favorite Dominik Fischnaller followed in second and third place, respectively.
Meanwhile, Germany’s two-time Olympic champion Felix Loch struggled in both runs and settled for eighth overall, Xinhua reported.
The competition continues with the third and fourth runs scheduled for Sunday, where athletes will have another chance to challenge Langenhan’s track-record times.
The Cortina Sliding Center, a staple on the luge World Cup circuit, is renowned for its technical difficulty and high speeds, demanding precision from even the most experienced athletes. Langenhan’s performance highlights Germany’s strength in the sport as the Olympics continue.
Follow the latest news on Google News
