FIL World Luge Natural Track Championships 1998
The 11th FIL Natural Track Luge World Cup took place from January 31 to February 2, 1998 in Rautavaara in Finland.
Single Seater Men
The European champions Reinhard Gruber from Italy won the world championship in the men's single-seater. Ex - aequo second place came Martin Gruber and Anton Blasbichler, both from Italy. This went for the second time in a World Cup all the medals in the men's singles to Italy. The defending champion Gerhard Pilz from Austria, who had won the last five world championships, came in at number four.
Single Seater Ladies
The Russian Lyubov Panjutina was for the second time after 1992 world champion in the women's single-seater. In second place came the Italian Christa Gietl who won her first medal at championships and their only World Championships. Third place went to her compatriot Sonja Steinacher, which was also finished third last year at the European Championships.
Two-seater
The Austrians Andi and Helmut Ruetz, who had previously been twice European champion, won their first and only world title in doubles. At the last World Cup they had already achieved second place. The silver medal won by the Italians Manfred graves and Hubertsburg. Graves was with Günther Steinhauser 1994 World Champion, Burger had won in the same year with Roland Niedermair bronze. The third place went to defending champion Reinhard Beer and Herbert Kögl from Austria.