„We are right on track with all our preparations and we are convinced to have a perfect event here”, said Alois Pichler, head of the Organizing Committee of the 2009 World Championships on Natural Track in Moos/Passeier. But he also admits that he and his team are kept busy day and night: “We have made some changes in the start and finish area, we are constructing podiums for tv cameras and we will be able to put up shields against the warm sun in February.”

By mid October the track is expected to be in perfect shape. Then they will wait for the winter to arrive as they need the cold temperatures to start the icing process on the track.

But also aside of the track people are busily at work. The entertainment program for the spectators will include live music, a lottery with an Opel Agila to win, a painting contest involving the local school kids and last not least a VIP tent which will spoil its guests. A video clip with local heroes Patrick Pigneter and Evelin Lanthaler has been produced in September. “We are also producing a booklet which will be finished by December, we are still in negotiations with some sponsors, we have to cover the costs of approximately 200.000 Euro”, said Pichler.

The event will be under the patronage of local governor Luis Durnwalder, who has always been an admirer of the Natural track luge sport. When the competition will be held from February 12th to 15th 2009 it will be the second time after 1980 that World Championships will be held in Passeier. In 1980 Italy won eight out of nine possible medals. The gold medal in the double seater´s race was won by Oswald Pörnbacher and Raimund Pigneter, who happens to be Patrick Pigneter´s father. Of course the son wants to follow his father´s traces and will give his best to succeed in Passeier.