Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente (ck) - The coming weekend Deutschnofen/Nova Ponente in South Tyrol in Italy will host the 19th FIL World Championships on natural track. The organizers went out of their way to accommodate all possible needs of the athletes from almost 20 nations and all spectators. The championships will see athletes from four continents, a first in the history of natural track luge. Some of the newer nations like New Zealand, Turkey or Romania might not be able yet to race for the medals, but also the places behind the top nations Italy, Russia and Austria will be highly contested. There should also appear some new faces on the podium. Even though it will be difficult to stop world cup serial winner Ekatharina Lavrentjeva (RUS) from winning her fourth title after 2000, 2005 and 2007, but the young Italians have shown that they are ready for a big success. Title defender Renate Gietl (ITA) has retired, but Evelin Lanthaler, Greta Pinggera and Melanie Schwarz are waiting for their chances. In the men’s event a tough fight for the podium can be expected, headed by Patrick Pigneter (ITA) who will set out for a second world champion title in the singles’ race. The usually almost invincible Italian had to settle for bronze in three previous world championships. Only in 2009 he claimed the top spot on the podium. Title defender Gerald Kammerlander (AUT) will quit his career after the world championships, however, his brother Thomas Kammerlander (AUT) presented himself in top form in this season and will be one of Pigneter’s toughest rivals. Patrick Pigneter/Florian Clara or Pawel Porshnev/Ivan Lazarev? Based on previous results, only one of those two doubles could win the title. However, Porshnev/Lazarev had troubles earlier this season, only recently they found back to old strength and managed to defeat Pigneter/Clara in the last world cup race, who, at the beginning of this winter seemed to race in their own league. The Russians are three-times world champions (2005, 2007 and 2011), Pigneter/Clara won the title once, in 2009. But also Christian Schopf/Andreas Schopf (AUT) could have a say in the final decision since they performed extremely well so far. Andreas Schopf has been world champion twice already (2001 and 2003), but back then he was paired with his cousin Wolfgang Schopf whereas now he slides with his brother Christian for whom it would be the first title. Also within the International Luge Federation FIL these championships have high significance. With FIL President Josef Fendt, Vice President Harald Steyrer, Secretary General Svein Romstad and Executive Director Christoph Schweiger the complete presidium will be present. As always in championships the singles will have to complete three runs whereas the doubles will only do two. In the team event one man, one woman and one double will start. Track Info Deutschnofen: Length: 871m Start Elevation: 1505m Finish Elevation: 1384m Vertical Drop: 121m Average Descent: 13% Maximum Descent: 16% Minimum Descent: 5% Program at the World Championships: Wednesday, 23. January Arrival of the team Thursday, 24. January 10am 1st training run men and women 12pm 2nd training run men and women 1.30pm 1st training run doubles 2.30pm 2nd training run doubles 7pm parade starting at „Bar Luise“ 8pm Opening ceremony and gala night Friday, 25. January 10am Team event, afterwards flower ceremony 11.30am training run for remaining men and women 8pm WCH-party in the tent with VOLX ROCK Saturady, 26. January 10am 1st competition run doubles and women 12pm 2nd competition run doubles, flower ceremony 12.30pm 2nd competition run women and 1st competition run men 1.45pm prize ceremony for the Deutschnofen students for their poster contest 2pm air show with model aircrafts 3pm International “Preiswatten” 8pm WCH party in the tent with PAMSTIDDN KINGS Sunday, 27. January 9am „Frühschoppen“ with live music and white sausage and Paulaner beer 10am – 2pm body paint for children and mini tramp castle for kids 10am 2nd competition run men 11.30am 3rd competition run women, flower ceremony 12pm 3rd competition run men, flower ceremony afterwards welcome of the former luge world champions 2pm Medal Ceremonies 3pm WCH Lottery Results of the 2011 World Championships in Umhausen (AUT): Women: 1. Renate GIETL (ITA) 2. Ekatharina LAVRENTJEVA (RUS) 3. Melanie SCHWARZ (ITA) 4. Melanie BATKOWSKI (AUT) 5. Evelin LANTHALER (ITA) Men: 1. Gerald KAMMERLANDER (AUT) 2. Robert BATKOWSKI (AUT) 3. Patrick PIGNETER (ITA) 4. Thomas KAMMERLANDER (AUT) 5. Rudi RESCH (ITA) Doubles: 1. Pavel PORSHNEV/Ivan LAZAREV (RUS) 2. Patrick PIGNETER/Florian CLARA (ITA) 3. Andrzej LASZCZAK/Damian WANICZEK (POL) 4. Christian SCHATZ/Gerhard MÜHLBACHER (AUT) 5. Florian BREITENBERGER/David MAIR (ITA) Team Event: 1. Italien I (Anton BLASBICHLER, Renate GIETL, Patrick PIGNETER/Florian CLARA) 2. Österreich I (Gerald KAMMERLANDER, Melanie BATKOWSKI, Christian SCHATZ/Gerhard MÜHLBACHER) 3. Russland I (Juri TALIKH, Ekatharina LAVRENTJEVA, Pawel PORSCHNEV/Ivan LAZAREV)