CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Italy sent the home crowd into sheer ecstasy on Wednesday as the host swept both the men's and women's doubles gold medals in luge at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Starting last, Andrea Voetter and Marion Oberhofer clocked a combined time of one minute 46.284 seconds to capture the women's doubles title, becoming the first Olympic champions in the event.
"It's unbelievable. Winning the gold medal at home - what could be better? We did such great work on the sled," said 30-year-old Voetter.
Oberhofer, competing in her first Olympics, said it felt "amazing" to win on home ice. "We're overwhelmed with emotion and so grateful to everyone who supported us. Racing here in Cortina is incredible," the 25-year-old added.
Germany's Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina finished second in 1:46.404, while Austria's Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp took bronze in 1:46.543. China's Gulijienaiti Adikeyoumu and Zhao Jiaying placed eighth in 1:48.487.
Later in the evening, Emanuel Rieder and Simon Kainzwaldner powered to victory in the men's doubles with a total time of 1:45.086, edging Austria's Thomas Steu and Wolfgang Kindl by 0.068 seconds and Germany's Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt by 0.090.
"It's crazy. I can't believe it. I've lost my voice from screaming. I'm super happy," Rieder said after the race.
China's Jubayi Saikeyi and Hou Shuo finished 15th.
The luge team relay is scheduled for Thursday.
