Bolzano (ck) - The 19th FIL World Championships in natural track which will be held January 24th to 28th in Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ITA) started to show their first signs. On January 15th in a media conference in Bolzano/Bozen, the two chiefs of the organising committee Christian Gallmetzer and Martin Mittermaier, mayor of Deutschnofen Bernhard Daum, FIL Vice President Alfred Jud as well as the top athletes Patrick Pigneter (ITA), Ekatharina Lavrentjeva (RUS) and the reigning doubleseater world champions Pavel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev (RUS) answered questions to the press. Mayor Bernhard Daum: “We are proud to host the only world championships which will be held in South Tyrol this winter. And I am personally proud of the community of Deutschofen as they fully identify with the event as can be seen through the many sponsors and volunteers.” Organising chiefs Christian Gallmetzer and Martin Mittermaier agree: “We will not only offer perfect conditions for the athletes, we also want to offer something to the spectators, that’s why there will be a huge entertainment program.” FIL-Vice President Alfred Jud confirms the sport-political importance of the event in which approximately 20 nations are expected: “The world championships in Deutschnofen will be closely watched and could be a milestone on the way of natural track into the Olympic program.” Also within the International Luge Federation FIL the event is given high significance. With FIL President Josef Fendt, FIL-Vice President for finances Harald Steyrer, Secretary General Svein Romstand and Executive Director Christoph Schweiger the FIL presidium will be fully present.