Altenberg, Germany – The 2025-2026 Luge World Cup season concluded this weekend with a bittersweet finish for Latvia. Even as individual performances showed promise, particularly a bronze medal for Kendija Aparjode, the overall season represented a step back for the Latvian team, though the primary objective – securing a medal at the Olympic Games – remains within reach.
Aparjode’s podium finish in Altenberg was a highlight, securing the bronze medal in the women’s singles event. The victory went to Germany’s Julia Taubitz, who claimed her fifth consecutive and sixth overall Luge World Cup title. Merle Froebel of Germany took silver. Aparjode, after setting the pace in the first heat, ultimately finished third, a result that delighted Taubitz, as a second-place finish for Aparjode would have handed the overall title to Froebel.
The competition was fierce. Aparjode led after the first run, besting Froebel by just 0.02 seconds and Taubitz by 0.03 seconds. Froebel responded in the second run, setting a fresh track record. While Aparjode remained competitive through the middle of her second run, she ultimately finished 0.611 seconds behind the winning time. This result propelled Aparjode to tenth place in the overall season standings, surpassing Elīna Vita Botā, who missed the last two events.
Despite a challenging first run at the Beijing 2022 Olympic track earlier this season in China, where she finished fourth, Aparjode’s World Cup podium in Altenberg marked her fourth career World Cup podium and first in four years. Interestingly, her previous World Cup podium finishes have only arrive in sprint events at the Sigulda track.
Latvia also found success in the women’s doubles event, with Marta Robežniece and Kitija Bogdanova claiming a bronze medal in Altenberg. They finished seventh overall in the World Cup standings. Anda Upīte and Zane Kaluma demonstrated consistency, finishing fifth in Altenberg.
The Latvian men’s doubles teams also posted solid results, with Eduards Ševics-Mikeļševics and Lūkass Krasts finishing seventh, and Mārtiņš Bots and Roberts Plūme taking fifth. The duo of Bots and Plūme secured a sixth-place finish in Altenberg, their only podium appearance of the year coming at Sigulda. Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt of Germany had already secured their seventh overall Luge World Cup title before the final event.
In the men’s singles competition, Kristers Aparjods finished sixth overall in the World Cup standings, closely followed by Gints Bērziņš. Kaspars Rinks delivered the best Latvian result in the final race, finishing seventh, and twelfth overall for the season. Felix Loch of Germany, after a five-year drought, claimed the overall title, securing his seventh career Luge World Cup championship.
The Latvian team also showcased their strength in the team relay, finishing third in Altenberg and second overall in the World Cup standings. The relay team consisted of Aparjode, Bots and Plūme, Rinks, and Robežniece and Bogdanova.
This season’s results highlight a slight regression for the Latvian luge program compared to the previous year. However, the team remains focused on its primary goal: achieving success at the upcoming Olympic Games. The Altenberg results, particularly Aparjode’s bronze medal, provide a positive momentum heading into the most vital competition of the season.
The Luge World Cup season may be over, but the focus now shifts to Olympic preparations. Athletes will now concentrate on training and fine-tuning their skills as they gear up for the challenges ahead. The coming months will be crucial for Latvia’s luge team as they strive to translate their World Cup experience into Olympic glory.
Next up, the team will announce its official Olympic roster and training schedule. Fans can follow updates on the Latvian Luge Federation’s official channels for the latest news and information.
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