The world elite of natural track luge passes one highlight after the other. Few days ago Gerhard Pilz (AUT), Sonja Steinacher (ITA) and Co. competed in Zelezniki (SLO) at the final station of the natural track luge World Cup. From today until Sunday the 19th natural track luge European Championships will take place in Frantschach (AUT). Therefore, after last year?s successful World Championships in Stein an der Enns there will be another big natural track luge event in Austria.

?We are looking forward to a tricky track in Frantschach. It cannot be compared with the track in Zelezniki?, states the World Cup winner. After the end of this year?s World Cup Gerhard Pilz is not tired to race. On the contrary, ?I am highly motivated but it will be difficult to win because of the warm weather. It will be tough choosing the right material?, tells the five-times World Champion who never won at any European Championships. Ferdinand Hirzegger (AUT) is really optimistic concerning the track. ?I like the course in Frantschach. The training times satisfied me, too. The warm weather is going to be a big concurrent because this year I always had troubles to choose the right material?, states the 25-year-old Styrian.

Title defender Sonja Steinacher arrived Frantschach with mixed emotions. Two weeks ago she planned some training runs with the Italian national luge team but they were cancelled because of the weather. ?I don?t have any experience on this track. Hopefully, three training runs this weekend will be enough to reach the top?, says Sonja Steinacher.

Timetable:

Thursday, 31th January 200209:30 a.m. 1st and 2nd training run women?s and men?s singleseater

Friday, 1st February 200209:30 a.m. 3rd training run women?s singleseater11:30 a.m. 1st training run men?s doubleseater00:45 p.m. 2nd training run men?s doubleseater06:30 p.m. opening ceremony

Saturday, 2nd February 200209:30 a.m. 1st race run women?s and men?s singleseater11:30 a.m. 1st race run men?s doubleseater12:00 a.m. 2nd race run women?s singleseater01:00 p.m. final run men?s doubleseater

Sunday, 3rd February 200209:30 a.m. 2nd race run men?s singleseater and final run women?s singles12:00 a.m. final run men?s singleseater

Title Holders:

Men?s singleseater:Anton Blasbichler (ITA)

Women?s singleseater:Sonja Steinacher (ITA)

Men?s doubleseater:Andreas Ruetz und Helmut Ruetz (AUT)

Winners of the overall World Cup 2001/02:

Men?s singleseater:Gerhard Pilz (AUT)

Women?s singleseater:Sonja Steinacher (ITA)

Men?s doubleseater:Andrzej Laszczak und Damian Waniczek (POL)