Berchtesgaden, Germany (pps) There are neither elections nor changes to the International Luge Regulations (IRO) on the agenda. Major international championships will also not be awarded at the 53rd Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL) at Cesana Torinese, Italy, on June 17-18. The annual meeting of the international luge family is marked this year by the upcoming 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino (Italy), the view to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, and the awards for FIL veteran, Jan Steler.

The combined artificially-iced track for luge, bobsleigh and skeleton with an overall capacity of 7,100 spectators is just a stone’s throw from the meeting site at the picturesque town centre. Service enjoys priority at the newest track. Athletes, spectators and media representatives may look forward to such pleasant conditions as at hardly any other track. A cable railway links the village in the valley to the bob track and the biathlon facility at an altitude of 1,700m. At both sites comfortable service buildings for the athletes are under construction. The media representatives will enjoy “Olympics of short distances” at the finish of the track. There are just a few hundred metres between the mixed zone and the sub press centre.

Structural changes in the lower part of the track have been decided in time. By the end of October the works should be concluded. The Olympic luge competitions will begin the day after the Opening Ceremony on February 10, 2006.

In the coming winter, Cesana will not only be the site of the Olympic competitions in luge, bobsleigh and skeleton. In viewing distance to the sliding track, the biathlon track is located, and in addition the women’s downhill, combined downhill and Super-G will take place. Cesana itself is located at the bottom of a valley at an altitude of approximately 1,300m.

The medals in luge will be awarded in the men’s single on February 12, in the women’s single on February 14, and in the double-seaters on February 15. The men’s and women’s competitions will have four heats, while there are just two in the doubles.

The schedule of the Olympic luge competitions:

Saturday, February 11, 2006, 16.00 hrs: 1st and 2nd heat Men
Sunday, February, 12, 2006, 16.00 hrs: 3rd and 4th heat Men
Monday, February 13, 2006, 16.00 hrs: 1st and 2nd heat Women
Tuesday, February 14, 2006, 16.00 hrs: 3rd and 4th heat Women
Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 16.00 hrs: 1st and 2nd heat Doubles