Winterberg (pps) A new track record will be set, that’s certain even before the first ice is on the track! Prior to the new winter season the women’s start was elevated and integrated in the completely new starting area at the Bobsleigh and Luge Track in Winterberg, Germany. Consequently the racing distance has been increased and is now only marginally shorter than the men’s. The doubles will also start from the women’s start, as usual.
The most important modification in Winterberg, approximately 30 years after its inauguration in 1977, is the entirely new starting area now including a completely covered sled storage area. At the same time, new facilities have been built. This complex of buildings with changing rooms, facilities for coaches and officials as well as for varying controls presents a future-oriented solution which blends in harmoniously with the landscape without destroying the “Bobhaus” as its landmark.

But not only the artificially-iced track in Winterberg has undergone extensive changes in the past months. No less than three modernisations of long-established tracks are coming to an end. Apart from Winterberg the track in Oberhof, Germany – in view of the 40 th FIL World Luge Championships in 2008 - received a modern outfit. Most evident change of the track in Thuringia is the extension of the finish, achieved by the integration of a new braking curve. This new finish leads upwards and opens out into a likewise newly structured presentation area. During the first construction phase the men’s and women’s start, including the extended approach to curve four, were completed and curve seven received a new profile. During the second construction phase, scheduled to start next summer, redevelopments of the entire periphery and the finish house are planned.

The organisers are well prepared for the 39 th FIL World Championships in Innsbruck-Igls. At the cost of approximately ten million Euros the track in Igls, World Championship venue in 1977, 1987 and 1997, has obtained a futuristic appearance. The men’s and women’s starts as well as the entire finish area have been completely renewed. Heart of the complex is undoubtedly the new “Panorama Café”. “We will try to hold a great festival for the FIL family”, Peter Knauseder, head of the World Championship Organising Committee promised.

The track for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver is currently being built in Whistler Mountain. Craig Lehto, who previously was the Race Director for the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary (1988) and Salt Lake City (2002), has accepted the same position in Vancouver. During the FIL Congress he disclosed that the track will be ready for use in the 2008-2009 season at the very latest. The track will boast 16 curves with a crowd capacity of 12,000 people.

The construction of two completely new tracks in Russia seems to be certain – one of the artificially-iced tracks shall be built right outside the city of Moscow, the other in Sotchi on the Black Sea, candidate for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.