Merle Malou Fraebel of Germany competes during the luge women's singles run 2 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Germany's Julia Taubitz and Merle Malou Fraebel led the women's singles luge after the first two runs of the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games here on Monday.

Taubitz set a new track record of 52.550 seconds in her second run, improving on the previous mark of 52.590 set by Fraebel in the opening run.

"We are teammates and we both want a medal. We push each other while staying friendly, and we really enjoy it," Taubitz said of the competition and friendship between herself and Fraebel.

Latvia's Elina Bota placed third, followed by Italy's Verena Hofer in fourth. World Cup leader Lisa Schulte of Austria ranked seventh.

The third and fourth runs will take place on Tuesday. ■

Merle Malou Fraebel of Germany competes during the luge women's singles run 1 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Julia Taubitz of Germany competes during the luge women's singles run 2 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Julia Taubitz of Germany competes during the luge women's singles run 1 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Verena Hofer of Italy competes during the luge women's singles run 1 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Elina Bota of Latvia competes during the luge women's singles run 1 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Julia Taubitz of Germany competes during the luge women's singles run 1 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Wang Peixuan of China competes during the luge women's singles run 2 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Wang Peixuan of China competes during the luge women's singles run 1 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, Feb. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)