Germany’s luge team dominated the 2025 World Championships held in Whistler, Canada, achieving remarkable success across multiple events and solidifying their status as leaders in the sport. With three gold medals and six overall across various categories, the team showcased exceptional skill and determination, culminating in gold for men’s doubles duo Hannes Orlamünder and Paul Gubitz during their debut championship.
Orlamünder, 25, and Gubitz, also 25, celebrated their first major triumph on this grand stage after finishing ahead of Latvia’s Martins Bots and Roberts Plume, and their teammates, the legendary duo Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt, all of whom have multiple Olympic medals to their names. "We’ve dreamed about this moment but can’t quite grasp it yet. It’s simply indescribable, just amazing,” Orlamünder expressed joyously.
Alongside their stellar performance, Julia Taubitz made waves by winning her second world title, having previously secured gold back in 2021. The 28-year-old finished triumphantly before teammate Merle Fräbel, who secured silver, and American Emily Sweeney, who rounded out the podium. Taubitz expressed her excitement, stating, "It was thrilling and fantastic; I’m incredibly happy to achieve this!" Notably, Taubitz now boasts seven world championship medals, solidifying her reputation as one of the sport's elite athletes.
Throughout the competition, Germany’s luge athletes continued to impress, amassing seven medals after just four of seven events. Following the men's doubles, the women’s team added silver and bronze to the tally, with Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal taking silver, and Dajana Eitberger with Magdalena Matschina securing bronze. The gold medallists were Selina Egle and Lara Kipp from Austria.
The success of the German team can be attributed to solid teamwork and exceptional individual performances. Head coach Patric Leitner has led the squad to new heights, with the team displaying extraordinary skills on the challenging Whistler Sliding Centre track, renowned for its tight turns and speed.
“Hannes and Paul truly deserved their world championship title; they executed flawlessly,” remarked Wendl, who with Arlt has consistently medaled since their own victory here back in 2013. The track's history holds significant meaning for the team, especially for Wendl and Arlt, who continue to add to their storied career.
Having participated as partners since 2011, Orlamünder and Gubitz expressed immense pride not only for their personal achievement but also for their ability to contribute to the overall success of the squad. “We’re still processing this win; after our mixed-team silver, we had dreams of this moment, and now it’s real,” Gubitz noted.
The medal win pattern also continues for seasoned athletes like Wendl and Arlt, maintaining their podium streak at every major event they have participated since their first title win. “We can be proud of our continuous performances; it’s nothing short of extraordinary,” Wendl commented on their success.
Despite their well-deserved success, the competition has proved fierce, with the Latvian duo of Bots and Plume demonstrating their prowess on the track, even challenging for the world title. Their performance showcased the growing competitiveness and depth of talent present within the sport, making the achievements of the German athletes even more commendable.
The women’s doubles brought another layer of excitement to the championship, where Germany’s athletes showed their depth once again. Eitberger and Matschina mirrored the men's success by securing podium finishes, showcasing the strength of the German contingent at this championship.
With the championships nearing completion, the final events promise to be filled with anticipation, as the men's singles and the team relay races are yet to come. The German team remains poised for additional successes, driven by the momentum established throughout the competitions so far.
The concluding races, expected to feature the like of Max Langenhan, who recently partnered with Taubitz for the mixed-event title, could add more medals to Germany’s tally. Langenhan himself, recovering from injuries sustained earlier this season, expressed enthusiasm to showcase his skills once again on this iconic track.
Overall, the Whistler Luge World Championships have highlighted not just individual performers, but the overarching narrative of teamwork, resilience, and success from the German team. With their eyes on future competitions, including the upcoming Olympics, they aim to maintain their legacy at the pinnacle of luge racing.