Germany's Max Langenhan Dominates Opening Runs of Men's Singles Luge at Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics

Langenhan Sets Pace with Double Track Records

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy – Germany's Max Langenhan has established a significant lead in the men's singles luge competition at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, after an impressive performance in the first two runs on February 7, 2026. The 26-year-old not only topped the standings but also set two new track records at the Cortina Sliding Centre.

Langenhan clocked a time of 52.924 seconds in his first run, followed by an even faster 52.902 seconds in his second, resulting in a combined time of 1:45.826. This dominant display comes despite Langenhan revealing he had been battling a stiff neck, stating, 'I woke up at 4 a.m. with a stiff neck and was thinking that I might not race today.' He credited his physiotherapists and doctors for enabling his participation.

Close Competition for Podium Spots

While Langenhan holds a clear advantage, the battle for the remaining podium positions remains tight. Austria's Jonas Mueller currently sits in second place with a total time of 1:45.988. Mueller, who is making his Olympic debut, is just 0.162 seconds behind Langenhan.

Home favorite Dominik Fischnaller of Italy, the reigning Olympic bronze medalist from Beijing 2022, is in third, with a combined time of 1:46.124. Latvia's Kristers Aparjods is positioned fourth, 0.508 seconds off Langenhan's leading pace. Notably, two-time Olympic men's singles champion Felix Loch of Germany finished the day in eighth place.

The Road Ahead: Final Runs on February 8

The men's singles luge competition is a four-run event, with the final two runs scheduled to take place on February 8, 2026. Medals will be awarded based on the cumulative time across all four runs. Only the top 20 athletes after the third run will qualify for the decisive fourth and final run. The Cortina Sliding Centre, a newly constructed facility built on the site of the historic Eugenio Monti track, is hosting the luge events, continuing Cortina d'Ampezzo's rich tradition in sliding sports.