FIL World Luge Natural Track Championships 1996
The 10th FIL Natural Track Luge World Cup took place from 26 to 28 January 1996 Oberperfuss in Austria.
Single Seater Men
Date: January 27 ( first championship round ) and 28 January 1996 ( 2nd and 3rd scoring run )
The Austrian Gerhard Pilz was the fifth consecutive world champion in single-seater, setting a record unbroken to this day. The Italians Anton Blasbichler reached second place and thus won his first medal at World Championships after he was back in 1993 has become European champion. Placed in the third position with Franz Obrist another Italian. He had won at the last World Cup silver medal and in 1991 became European champion.
Single Seater Ladies
Date: January 27 ( first championship round ) and 28 January 1996 ( 2nd and 3rd scoring run )
In the women's single-seater, the Austrian Irene Zechner world champion, who had previously been twice European champion was. Second place went to her teammate Elvira woodcutter who had already won several medals at World and European Championships. Sandra Mariner, also from Austria, won the bronze medal. For them it was the first medal at a World Cup. For the first time there were three Austrians on the podium of a World Cup.
Two-seater
Date: January 27, 1996 ( both races )
In doubles, the Austrians Reinhard Beer and Herbert Kögl won the gold medal. They were the first world champion in doubles who did not come from Italy. The silver medal won by the reigning European champion Andi and Helmut Ruetz from Austria. Third place went to the Italians Psenner Martin and Arthur Künig, for it was the only medal at the world championships.