Posting top speeds “not in the interest of the International Luge Federation”

Innsbruck-Igls (pps) In view of the possibly new record-breaking speeds on the new Olympic track in Whistler, Canada, the President of the International Luge Federation, FIL, Josef Fendt of Berchtesgaden, has a speed limit in mind for the future construction of artificial tracks. “We have innumerable rules within our luge regulations – but so far we haven’t thought of setting a speed limit”, explained Fendt to journalists in Innsbruck-Igls.

The topic “speed limit” in luge came up during the international training week at the “Whistler Sliding Center” carried out on the luge track for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, in November. Top speeds of up to 149 km/h were registered on the new track. “This is not in the interest of our International Luge Federation and it makes me worry”, said Fendt.

The former World champion referred to the extensive security measures of the FIL already in the run-up. On initiative of the FIL, for instance, two additional training days were organised in order to offer a systematic training to all athletes. With gradually increasing starts the athletes thus acquire the “skills” to tackle the track. After an analysis of the training week, FIL will additionally ask the Organising Committee VANOC for the best possible preparation of the ice at various curve entries and exits.

According to Josef Fendt, a total of 2,500 runs were executed and 73 crashes were registered. This corresponds to a “crash-rate” of three per-cent, which is normal when new tracks are tested. Three athletes left hospital after a short medial treatment. Two-time Olympic champion Armin Zoeggeler of Italy said: “The track can be tackled. I don’t see big problems for the athletes.”

Fendt criticised the designers of the new Olympic track: “We’ve always assumed that, on principle, top speeds of 135 or 136 km/h were possible. But we didn’t reckon with such a leap.”