Jonas Müller wins first World Championship title in Men's Singles 

Oberhof (FIL/29 Jan 2023) Jonas Müller showed nerves of steel in the men's singles. In the sprint he was beaten by Felix Loch (GER), but in both runs the Austrian finished with the best time and celebrated the first World Championship title of his career in Men's Singles. The 25-year-old sports soldier from Bludenz won in an overall time of 1:25.478 ahead of Max Langenhan (GER, +0.104 sec.) and teammate David Gleirscher (+0.121 sec.). Thus, he also broke the winning streak of the Germans, who have already claimed seven World Championship titles in the LOTTO Thüringen Eisarena.

Felix Loch missed the podium after two faulty runs and finished fourth (+1.45 sec.). 15 years ago the 33-year-old Bavarian had won the first of his six World Championship titles in singles on this track. Latvian Kisters Aparjods (LAT) finished fifth, 0.294 seconds behind, Wolfang Kindl rounded off the excellent result of the Austrians in sixth place. Italy's medal hope Dominik Fischnaller already had problems in the first run and crashed in the second run. 

Max Langenhan is also happy about his first World Cup silver medal after his U23 title in 2021. Due to a hand injury, the 23-year-old from Thuringia could not participate in the first three World Cups, competed for the first time in Sigulda (LAT), and won his first European Championship title.

World Championship debutant Timon Grancagnolo could also cheer. The 19-year-old German could not only be happy about a top 10 finish with seventh place, but also secured the U23 World Championship title ahead of teammate David Nössler and Gints Berzins (LAT). 

Quotes:

Jonas Müller (AUT): “After my crash in Sigulda my sled was totally broken. I flew home the day after and unpacked the old sled. I immediately got along well with the old sled. I like Oberhof, I have been fast here several times. And as you can see, the old sled doesn't seem to be that bad.”

Max Langenhan (GER): “I made mistakes in the first and second run and unfortunately there is still a lot missing due to the hand injury at the start. However, Jonas has earned the title so much. In the end I am vice world champion and silver is really worth gold for me here. I'm still really happy!“

David Gleirscher (AUT): “When you cross the finish line and know that if you get a one or two, you've won a medal, you're really happy. It was just the two, and Jonas was still at the start. When I think about my run, I know that silver would also have been possible. An Austrian double success would have been even cooler. But a medal at the World Championships is sensational, and with Jonas as World Champion it is even more fun.”

Timon Grancagnolo (GER): “It was the first competition for me in front of such a crowd, and of course I would love to be cheered as the winner. However, I have already achieved that with my U23 title. The title is my first ever World Championship medal, and to be racing with the big boys after such a surprising season, to be on the World Cup team and to be able to race in the World Championships is just incredible.”

The WCH and U23 WCH results in the men's individual are available at the following link: https://www.fil-luge.org/de/ergebnisse/fil-weltmeisterschaften-16