Taubitz and Fraebel Compete for German Gold in Luge Championship
The German athletes Julia Taubitz and Merle Malou Fraebel excelled in the women’s luge singles at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. Competing at the Cortina Sliding Centre on February 9, 2026, the duo showcased their skills and set impressive track records.
Halfway Point Highlights
At the midpoint of the competition, Taubitz and Fraebel secured the top two spots. They were separated by just six hundredths of a second, indicating a fierce contest for gold. Germany has a remarkable history in this event, having won 12 out of the 16 available Olympic gold medals in women’s singles luge, including the last seven successive titles.
- Julia Taubitz: Previous Olympic experience with a notable seventh-place finish in Beijing.
- Merle Malou Fraebel: Emerging star, aiming for her first Olympic medal.
Performance Breakdown
Taubitz kicked off the event by setting a track record of 52.638 seconds. However, her record was soon eclipsed by Fraebel, who narrowly edged ahead with a time of 52.590 seconds. Taubitz then responded magnificently, reclaiming the lead with a new record of 52.550 seconds.
- Elina Bota (Latvia): Notable for setting a start record and currently in third place.
- Verena Hofer (Italy): Benefited from local familiarity, finishing in fourth.
- Sandra Robatscher (Italy): Held sixth place with sub-53 second runs.
Challenges and Setbacks
American competitors faced some hurdles during their runs. Ashley Farquharson and Emily Fischnaller secured fifth and eighth places, respectively. Unfortunately, Summer Britcher’s hopes were dashed early due to a crash, placing her in twelfth, considerably behind the leaders.
As the competition approaches its climax, the final runs will decide the medal placements on February 10. Taubitz and Fraebel will aim to maintain their dominance and bring home gold for Germany, continuing the nation’s strong legacy in the luge championship.
The upcoming runs promise to be thrilling as athletes battle for Olympic glory in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
