Innsbruck (pps) With a jubilee gala held in Innsbruck on Friday evening, the International Luge Federation (FIL) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation. At its 55th Congress, in the presence of numerous guests of honor, the world federation surprised the invited guests with a three-volume book on the history of the FIL.

To his own surprise, the FIL President was handed over the first copy of the book bound in leather. Copies number two, three and four were given to Rene Fasel, President of the International Ice Hockey Federation and of AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations) and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Leo Wallner, President of the Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC) and of the IOC, and to Bob Storey, President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT).

In his ceremonial address, Josef Fendt, who has been heading the world federation since the death of founding President Bert Isatitsch in 1994, talked about the beginnings of the sport of luge in the 19th century. He also remembered the foundation of the FIL, which emerged from a luge section within the FIBT in 1957 and spoke about the FIL`s history in a hilarious review. When he was elected President 13 years ago, Fendt said, he had compared the FIL with a ship that is hard to maneuver. This is still the case, Fendt continued, adding that he still enjoys it mainly because of his excellent crew and the pleasant passengers. “I enjoy being the captain of the FIL”, said Fendt.