Max Langenhan Secures First Gold for Germany!
Max Langenhan has made history by winning the first gold medal for Germany in the singles luge event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which are being held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. His outstanding performance at the Cortina Sliding Centre secured this prestigious victory for the German national team.
Max Langenhan’s Impressive Performance
The 26-year-old from Thuringia delivered a remarkable performance, clocking the fastest times in all four runs. Langenhan’s victory follows a slightly below-par season, where he faced challenges including persistent neck pain.
Key Details of the Event
- Event: Singles Luge
- Date: 08 February 2026
- Location: Cortina Sliding Centre, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Time Ahead: Langenhan finished 0.596 seconds ahead of Austria’s Jonas Müller and 0.934 seconds ahead of Italy’s Dominik Fischnaller.
Team Germany’s Success
Before Langenhan’s gold, Emma Aicher achieved a silver in the ski downhill event, adding to Team Germany’s success on a memorable day. The German mixed biathlon team also celebrated a bronze medal later that day.
Past Achievements and Future Opportunities
This gold medal marks the pinnacle of Langenhan’s career, adding to his six world championship titles in singles, mixed singles, and team relays. His victory signals a hopeful trend for the German Bob and Luge Federation, which aims for continued success in various events.
Challenges for Other Competitors
Felix Loch, a seasoned luger and Olympic champion, faced difficulties throughout the competition. After a poor showing in the first leg, he could not recover and finished in sixth place. Timon Grancagnolo, competing in his first Olympics, secured ninth place.
Looking Ahead
Should he remain in good health, Langenhan will have another opportunity to compete in the team relay later this week. His significant following, particularly from fans in Thuringia, including his father Uwe, added to the spirited atmosphere at the sliding centre.
The strong German contingent aims to maintain its competitive edge in future events, with women’s singles events featuring world champion Julia Taubitz occurring in the coming days.
